Quick QuizEthical Theories

1

Utilitarianism

For a utilitarian, actions are right as they:

a) Produce the best consequences

b) Produce the most consequences

c) Tend to produce the best consequences

d) Tend to limit the most harm

e) Follow the correct rules of morality

UtilitarianismBentham uses his Hedonic Calculus to:

a) Measure how many hedons are present in pleasure.

b) Establish the relative values of different pleasures.

c) Help us reach our personal goals.

d) Justify the mathematical nature of morality.

e) Complicate the simplicity of ordinary ethics.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a demanding theory because

a) it is difficult to calculate what to do.

b) no one can figure out how to cause pleasure.

c) there will be conflicts between our duties and our interests.

d) Bentham and Mill were bossy people.

e) self-improvement is its first goal.

Utilitarianism

Getting a relaxing massage is superior to drinking a case of Special Export because it isn’t followed by great pain. It is superior in terms of:

a) Fecundity

b) Purity

c) Certainty

d) Propinquity

e) Extent

Utilitarianism

Every Mozart tune is good, while Nickelback’s written some real dogs. Mozart excels over Nickelback in terms of:

a) Fecundity

b) Purity

c) Certainty

d) Propinquity

e) Extent

Utilitarianism

When utilitarianism tells the doctor to knock you out and take your organs for those needy Nobel Prize wieners, it seems weak regarding:

a) Justice

b) Friendliness

c) Individual rights

d) Fecundity

e) Deontology

Utilitarianism

When utilitarianism tells Marshall Dillon to let the bank robbing murderer go for the sake of increasing happiness, it seems weak regarding:

a) Justice

b) Friendliness

c) Individual rights

d) Fecundity

e) Deontology

Utilitarianism

Bentham and Mill agree that the word ‘good’ should be understood to mean

a) Right

b) The highest value

c) Obligatory

d) Pleasure, and happiness

e) Highly evolved

Deontology

For Kant, the only thing good unconditionally is

a) pleasure

b) courage

c) virtue

d) a good will

e) a good time

Deontology

For Kant, an action has moral worth only if it is done

a) in accordance with duty

b) from a sense of duty

c) with a measure of good will

d) through a motive of love

e) to cause the most pleasure possible

DeontologyThe contradictions in Kant’s ethics

a) have plagued Kant scholars for decades

b) are strange, but since he rejects reason, they are not problematic

c) yield perfect and imperfect duties

d) make his theory unacceptable until they are resolved

e) a and d

Deontology

Kant tries to show that morality is based on

a) Duty

b) Rationality

c) Love

d) Transcendental philosophy

e) Apperception

DeontologyIf you want to do something, but reflection

shows you wouldn’t like it if everyone else acted that way, you have

a) A perfect duty to refrain

b) An imperfect duty to refrain

c) Continence

d) Incontinence

e) Viciousness

Deontology

Kant’s theory answers the question, Why be moral?, by …

a) suggesting you are unloving otherwise

b) suggesting you are mean otherwise

c) suggesting you are stupid otherwise

d) suggesting you are incorrigible otherwise

e) suggesting you are irrational otherwise

DeontologyA problem for Kant’s theory is

a) how an action should be described before testing it with the categorical imperative

b) why anyone should think being consistent is part of being moral

c) contradictions usually show theories are bad

d) A and B

e) A and C

Answers2. C

3. B

4. C

5. A

6. C

7. C

8. A

9. D

10. D

11. B

12. C

13. B

14. B

15. E

16. D