whyphi

Practice exercise

The questions in this exercise deal with some issues in metaethics and normative ethics. Please use it to prepare for the 2nd est.

1. According to the lectures, the rules of etiquette are
A) normative
B) purely descriptive
C) based on religion
D) none of the above.

7. According to the concept of morality outlined by Stef in his lectures and outlines, the main kind(s) of internal sanctions that come with morality is/are the following:
A) the feelings of guilt, shame, pride, etc.
B) disapproval and anger of others, ostracism
C) prison terms and fines
D) none of the above.

2. The following claim is not normative
A) lawyers ought to tell the truth to their clients
B) doctors ought to tell the truth to their patients
C) Beethoven's IX symphony is beautiful
D) The Rocky Mountains are old.

8. An isolation test, outlined by G.E. Moore, allows us to determine that
A) something has intrinsic value
B) some version of consequentialism is true
C) no version of Consequentialism is true.

3. The claim (judgment) that "The Pope thinks that active euthanasia is always wrong" belongs to
A) metaethics
B) applied ethics
C) descriptive ethics
D) all of the above

9. According to Bentham and Mill
A) pleasure only is intrinsically good and pain only is intrinsically bad
B) eudaimonia (understood as, flourishing happiness) is intrinsically good;
C) there are many different things that are intrinsically goo

4. The claim that "sometimes euthanasia is permissible" belongs to
A) metaethics
B) applied ethics
C) descriptive ethics
D) all of the above

10. A pluralist about intrinsic values would maintain that
A) there are no universal moral standards and morality depends on what a given culture believes is right or wrong;
B) there are many different things which are intrinsically valuable
C) none of the above

5. The claim that hunting deer is boring belongs to
A) metaethics
B) applied ethics
C) theoretical ethics
D) none of the above (e.g., it's not an ethical claim).

11. Suppose that someone thinks that money is good only in so far as we can use it to buy some other goods; such a person would think that
A) money has instrumental value
B) money has intrinsic value
C) both A) and B);
D) none of the above

6. The main focus of ethical inquiry is
A) how we ought to act, what kinds of people we ought to be, what kind of situations and outcomes are good and bad
B) the evaluation of law
C) the evaluation of political and social movements
D) describing what people do and think in various societies

12. The following are problems with the Divine Command Theory:
A) this theory implies that God has no moral reasons to issue His commands;
B) this theory implies that God acts in morally arbitrary (whimsical way);
C) this theory does not help us to understand how God is all good
D) all of the above.

.

13. Stef argued in class that universal religions (such as mainstream versions of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, etc.)
A) frequently require of us to act contrary to morality
B) frequently require of us to act contrary to reason and common sense
C) rarely (or never) require of us to act contrary to morality and reason.

19. According to utilitarians the consequences of a right action
A) can include some negative utility.
B) can include some positive utility
C) can include short run utility
D) can include long run utility
E) all of the above

14. Supererogatory acts
A) go beyond the call of duty
B) are merely morally permissible
C) are morally required
D) none of the above.

20. According to utilitarianism, the moral status of an action (whether an action is right or wrong) depends on
A) consequences of this action, so if the action has positive balance of utility this action is morally right;
B) A and the consequences of other actions, so an action can have a positive balance of utility and yet be morally wrong if there is another action that has even better balance of utility;
C) whether an agent fulfilled his duties.

15. Stef and Shaw maintain that
A) moral norms and legal norms ought to be extensional equivalent (that is, whatever is prohibited by law must also be prohibited by morality and vice versa).
B) morality and law must be totally separate (that is, no action may be prohibited both by law and by morality)
C) moral norms and legal norms may overlap partially but not completely
D) none of the above

21. The following is not a consequentialist theory
A) ethical egoism
B) utilitarianism
C) (radical) ethical altruism
D) Ross's system of prima facie duties
E) they are all versions of consequentialism

16. Stef characterized in class cults as systems of norms that
A) frequently require of us to act contrary to morality and reason
B) rarely (or never) require of of us to act contrary to morality and reason.

22 The "injustice objection" discussed in class is a common objection to
A) Utilitarian ethical theory.
B) Kant's ethical theory
C) A) and B)
D) none of the above

17. According to consequentialism, the moral status of a given action (i.e. whether an act is right or wrong, obligatory or forbidden, etc.) depends
A) solely on what agents think about this action
B) on the value brought about by the results of performing this action
C) something other than the consequences of this action.

23. One problem for utilitarian theory is that, since this theory requires to maximize utility
A) there are too many actions that would count as supererogatory
B) it's hard to see that any action would count as supererogatory
C) none of the above

18. According to deontology, the moral status of a given action (i.e. whether this act is right or wrong, obligatory or forbidden, etc.) depends
A) solely on what agents think about this action
B) on the value brought about by the results of performing this action
C) something other than the consequences of this action.

24. A main problem for Kant's ethical theory discussed in class is that this theory
A) is not very clear about what it means to treat someone merely as a means
B) allows someone to be treated as a means
C) allows someone to be treated merely as a means
D) does not allow anyone to be treated merely as a means
E) none of the above.

ANSWERS

1A : According to the lectures, the rules of etiquette are
A) normative

2D. The following claim is not normative -- D) The Rocky Mountains are old. (it's a statement of geographical fact)
(C) was not a good answer for it seems to express a norm of etiquette.
In general, normative judgments use a normative (or evaluative) term; e.g., right, wrong, obligatory, permissible, good, bad, beautiful, etc.

3C: This claim is a description of what the Pope thinks (it does not tell us what is right or wrong but only what the Pope thinks about the right and wrong)

4. The claim that "sometimes euthanasia is permissible" belongs to (B) applied ethics and not to A) metaethics
It's an application of some general/universal rule to some more specific cases, this is why it's applied ethics.
Other examples http://falcon.tamucc.edu/~sencerz/judgments.htm

5. The claim that hunting deer is boring belongs to D) none of the above (e.g., it's not an ethical claim).

6. The main focus of ethical inquiry is A) how we ought to act, what kinds of people we ought to be, what kind of situations and outcomes are good and bad

7. According to the concept of morality outlined by Stef in his lectures and outlines, the main kind(s) of internal sanctions that come with morality is/are the following A) the feelings of guilt, shame, pride, etc.
Incidentally, this is why morality and religion are frequently confused. People who violate religious requirements frequently have similar reactions (i.e., they feel guilty).

8. An isolation test, outlined by G.E. Moore, allows us to determine that
A) something has intrinsic value
Read more here:.

9. According to Bentham and Mill
A) pleasure only is intrinsically good and pain only is intrinsically bad .
The difference between Bentham and Mill is that Bentham endorses quantitative hedonism, while Mill opts for qualitative hedonism. The difference is reflected in the famous Mill 's saying that it's better to be a dissatisfied Socrates than satisfied pig (for higher pleasures of humans are sufficient compensation for possible dissatisfactions).

10. A pluralist about intrinsic values would maintain that
B) there are many different things which are intrinsically valuable
For example, according to G.E. Moore, the experience of beauty is intrinsically valuable.
Some philosophers argue that knowledge and the true perception of reality have intrinsic value.
Some of us think that freedom is intrinsically valuable, and so on.
By contrast, a hedonist would maintain that all those things are merely means to pleasure.

11. Suppose that someone thinks that money is good only in so far as we can use it to buy some other goods; such a person would think that
A) money has instrumental value

12. The following are problems with the Divine Command Theory:
D) all of the above.
Arthur reviews some of these difficulties in Morality Without God

13. Stef argued in class that universal religions (such as mainstream versions of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, etc.) C) rarely (or never) require of us to act contrary to morality and reason. (I also said, we are lucky.)

14. Supererogatory acts A) go beyond the call of duty.

15. Stef and Shaw maintain that C) moral norms and legal norms may overlap partially but not completely

16. Stef characterized in class cults as systems of norms that A) frequently require of us to act contrary to morality and reason

17. According to consequentialism, the moral status of a given action (i.e. whether an act is right or wrong, obligatory or forbidden, etc.) depends
B) on the value brought about by the results of performing this action
in other words, it depends on the consequences of doing (or failing to do) this act

19. According to deontology, the moral status of a given action (i.e. whether this act is right or wrong, obligatory or forbidden, etc.) depends C) something other than the consequences of this action. (The moral status may depend, e.g., on what agent's duties are, or on whether or not the agent violates someone's rights)

20. According to utilitarianism, the moral status of an action (whether an action is right or wrong) depends on
B) A and the consequences of other actions, so an action can have a positive balance of utility and yet be morally wrong if there is another action that has even better balance of utility;
It's a common mistake to ignore the alternatives to doing (or not doing) a given act.

21. The following is not a consequentialist theory
D) Ross's system of prima facie duties

22 The "injustice objection" discussed in class is a common objection to
A) Utilitarian ethical theory.
Other versions of consequentialism may encounter the same problem. Deontology may be treated as an attempt to respond to this theory.

23. One problem for utilitarian theory is that, since this theory requires to maximize utility
B) it's hard to see that any action would count as supererogatory

24. A main problem for Kant's ethical theory discussed in class is that this theory
A) is not very clear about what it means to treat someone merely as a means
The general Kantian idea is to treat people with respect.
One way to explain what it means is to elucidate the concept of respect in terms of respect for autonomy., and to elucidate the respect for autonomy in terms of consent
But this also has problems.
Problem 1: It would be too much to expect explicit consent in every situation, so sometimes we have to settle for hypothetical consent.
Problem 2: Even when we have an explicit consent, our actions may be wrong; for this consent may be given without access to full information or bt someone who is not rational.
Problem 3: Sometimes we seem justified in constraining someone without his or her consent.

1. According to the lectures, the rules of etiquette are A) normative B) purely descriptive C) based on religion D) none of the above.		7. According to the concept of morality outlined by Stef in his lectures and outlines, the main kind(s) of internal sanctions that come with morality is/are the following: A) the feelings of guilt, shame, pride, etc. B) disapproval and anger of others, ostracism C) prison terms and fines D) none of the above.
2. The following claim is not normative A) lawyers ought to tell the truth to their clients B) doctors ought to tell the truth to their patients C) Beethoven's IX symphony is beautiful D) The Rocky Mountains are old.		8. An isolation test, outlined by G.E. Moore, allows us to determine that A) something has intrinsic value B) some version of consequentialism is true C) no version of Consequentialism is true.
3. The claim (judgment) that "The Pope thinks that active euthanasia is always wrong" belongs to A) metaethics B) applied ethics C) descriptive ethics D) all of the above		9. According to Bentham and Mill A) pleasure only is intrinsically good and pain only is intrinsically bad B) eudaimonia (understood as, flourishing happiness) is intrinsically good; C) there are many different things that are intrinsically goo
4. The claim that "sometimes euthanasia is permissible" belongs to A) metaethics B) applied ethics C) descriptive ethics D) all of the above		10. A pluralist about intrinsic values would maintain that A) there are no universal moral standards and morality depends on what a given culture believes is right or wrong; B) there are many different things which are intrinsically valuable C) none of the above
5. The claim that hunting deer is boring belongs to A) metaethics B) applied ethics C) theoretical ethics D) none of the above (e.g., it's not an ethical claim).		11. Suppose that someone thinks that money is good only in so far as we can use it to buy some other goods; such a person would think that A) money has instrumental value B) money has intrinsic value C) both A) and B); D) none of the above
6. The main focus of ethical inquiry is A) how we ought to act, what kinds of people we ought to be, what kind of situations and outcomes are good and bad B) the evaluation of law C) the evaluation of political and social movements D) describing what people do and think in various societies		12. The following are problems with the Divine Command Theory: A) this theory implies that God has no moral reasons to issue His commands; B) this theory implies that God acts in morally arbitrary (whimsical way); C) this theory does not help us to understand how God is all good D) all of the above.

13. Stef argued in class that universal religions (such as mainstream versions of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, etc.) A) frequently require of us to act contrary to morality B) frequently require of us to act contrary to reason and common sense C) rarely (or never) require of us to act contrary to morality and reason.		19. According to utilitarians the consequences of a right action A) can include some negative utility. B) can include some positive utility C) can include short run utility D) can include long run utility E) all of the above
14. Supererogatory acts A) go beyond the call of duty B) are merely morally permissible C) are morally required D) none of the above.		20. According to utilitarianism, the moral status of an action (whether an action is right or wrong) depends on A) consequences of this action, so if the action has positive balance of utility this action is morally right; B) A and the consequences of other actions, so an action can have a positive balance of utility and yet be morally wrong if there is another action that has even better balance of utility; C) whether an agent fulfilled his duties.
15. Stef and Shaw maintain that A) moral norms and legal norms ought to be extensional equivalent (that is, whatever is prohibited by law must also be prohibited by morality and vice versa). B) morality and law must be totally separate (that is, no action may be prohibited both by law and by morality) C) moral norms and legal norms may overlap partially but not completely D) none of the above		21. The following is not a consequentialist theory A) ethical egoism B) utilitarianism C) (radical) ethical altruism D) Ross's system of prima facie duties E) they are all versions of consequentialism
16. Stef characterized in class cults as systems of norms that A) frequently require of us to act contrary to morality and reason B) rarely (or never) require of of us to act contrary to morality and reason.		22 The "injustice objection" discussed in class is a common objection to A) Utilitarian ethical theory. B) Kant's ethical theory C) A) and B) D) none of the above
17. According to consequentialism, the moral status of a given action (i.e. whether an act is right or wrong, obligatory or forbidden, etc.) depends A) solely on what agents think about this action B) on the value brought about by the results of performing this action C) something other than the consequences of this action.		23. One problem for utilitarian theory is that, since this theory requires to maximize utility A) there are too many actions that would count as supererogatory B) it's hard to see that any action would count as supererogatory C) none of the above
18. According to deontology, the moral status of a given action (i.e. whether this act is right or wrong, obligatory or forbidden, etc.) depends A) solely on what agents think about this action B) on the value brought about by the results of performing this action C) something other than the consequences of this action.		24. A main problem for Kant's ethical theory discussed in class is that this theory A) is not very clear about what it means to treat someone merely as a means B) allows someone to be treated as a means C) allows someone to be treated merely as a means D) does not allow anyone to be treated merely as a means E) none of the above.