BA Philosophy and Ethics 2

Question 1

Utilitarianism holds that the morally right action is the one that:

Accepted Answer

Maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number

Answer

Follows universal moral rules regardless of consequences

Answer

Conforms strictly to natural law

Answer

Expresses the virtues of the moral agent

Question 2

Kant's categorical imperative instructs that one should:

Accepted Answer

Act only according to principles you could will to be universal laws

Answer

Act to maximize pleasure and minimize pain

Answer

Follow the rules of one's society above all else

Answer

Pursue the virtuous mean between extremes

Question 3

The ethical theory that focuses on the character and virtues of the moral agent rather than rules or outcomes is:

Accepted Answer

Virtue Ethics

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Social Contract Theory

Question 4

John Stuart Mill's version of utilitarianism distinguished between:

Accepted Answer

Higher and lower pleasures

Answer

Objective and subjective pleasures

Answer

Individual and collective happiness

Answer

Natural and artificial desires

Question 5

The philosophical position that there are no objective moral truths and that moral judgments are culturally or individually relative is called:

Accepted Answer

Moral relativism

Answer

Moral realism

Answer

Moral absolutism

Answer

Natural law theory

Question 6

According to John Locke's social contract theory, individuals consent to government primarily to secure:

Accepted Answer

Protection of natural rights to life, liberty, and property

Answer

Eternal salvation and spiritual guidance

Answer

Economic prosperity and wealth redistribution

Answer

Social equality and elimination of class distinctions

Question 7

The belief that 'the ends justify the means'—that morally questionable actions are acceptable if they produce good outcomes—most closely reflects which ethical framework?

Accepted Answer

Consequentialism

Answer

Deontological ethics

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Divine command theory