Ethical and Moral Reasoning Flashcards
7 cards from real LNAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical and Moral Reasoning flashcards as text
A law prohibits carrying knives longer than 3 inches in public. A chef carries a kitchen knife to work for professional purposes. Which ethical principle best supports an argument that this chef should not be prosecuted?
Answer: The principle of intention — the purpose behind an act can determine its moral character
The principle of intention holds that the moral character of an act depends on the purpose behind it, making the chef's legitimate professional use morally distinct from carrying a weapon.
Which of the following best describes a 'moral dilemma' in the context of legal reasoning?
Answer: A situation where two morally valid principles produce contradictory conclusions
A moral dilemma arises specifically when two valid moral principles conflict, making it impossible to honor both simultaneously.
Immanuel Kant argued that an act is morally right only if it can be universalized. Which scenario most directly violates this principle?
Answer: A person lies to gain personal advantage, knowing universal lying would destroy communication
Kant's categorical imperative is violated when universalizing an action creates a logical contradiction — universal lying would destroy the trust on which communication depends.
In legal ethics, the concept of 'justice as fairness' is most closely associated with which theorist?
Answer: John Rawls
John Rawls developed 'justice as fairness' in A Theory of Justice, arguing for principles chosen behind a 'veil of ignorance' to ensure impartiality.
A utilitarian approach to criminal sentencing would primarily aim to:
Answer: Maximize deterrence and rehabilitation to produce the greatest societal benefit
Utilitarianism prioritizes outcomes that maximize overall well-being, so sentencing focuses on deterrence, rehabilitation, and societal protection rather than retribution.
Which ethical theory holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences?
Answer: Deontology
Deontology maintains that the morality of an action is determined by whether it adheres to rules or duties, not by the outcomes it produces.
A doctor must weigh a patient's right to refuse a risky but life-saving operation against the duty to preserve life. This conflict is best described as:
Answer: A tension between a deontological duty and an individual right
The tension between a professional duty to preserve life and respect for patient autonomy represents a classic conflict within deontological frameworks.