CARS CARS Ethical and Philosophical Reasoning 2

Question 1

An author in a CARS passage argues that we have a duty to future generations to preserve natural resources. This argument most directly relies on which philosophical concept?

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational justice

Answer

Obligations to preserve resources for those not yet born is the core concern of intergenerational justice.

Question 2

A passage presents a thought experiment in which a person must choose between saving five people or one person from harm. This type of philosophical scenario is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Moral dilemma or trolley problem scenario

Answer

Scenarios forcing a choice between two morally significant but conflicting options — such as the trolley problem — are classic moral dilemmas used in ethical philosophy.

Question 3

An author argues that a law is unjust because it was enacted without the meaningful consent of those it governs. This argument is rooted in which philosophical tradition?

Accepted Answer

Social contract theory

Answer

The legitimacy of laws resting on the consent of the governed is the foundational claim of social contract theory.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the 'is-ought problem' as it applies to CARS reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Assuming that because something is the case, it therefore ought to be the case

Answer

The is-ought problem, identified by Hume, is the logical error of concluding a moral 'ought' from a purely descriptive 'is' without justification.

Question 5

A CARS author argues that a person cannot be blamed for an outcome that resulted from circumstances entirely outside their control. This reasoning most closely reflects the concept of:

Accepted Answer

Moral luck

Answer

Moral luck refers to how factors outside an agent's control affect the moral judgments others make of them — and whether it is fair to assign blame when outcomes depend on chance.

(CARS) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Practice Test

(CARS) Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Practice Test

CARS CARS Ethical and Philosophical Reasoning 2