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
Virtue ethics, originating with Aristotle, evaluates the morality of an action primarily by:
Answer: Whether it reflects the character and virtues of a morally good person
Virtue ethics focuses on the character of the moral agent rather than on rules or outcomes, asking whether the action reflects virtues such as courage, honesty, and practical wisdom.
Which of the following is an example of an 'appeal to consequences' used to establish truth rather than to evaluate policy?
Answer: You should accept this claim as true because believing otherwise would make people unhappy
An appeal to consequences incorrectly argues that a claim is true based on the desirability of believing it rather than on evidence or logical reasoning.
The principle of 'equality before the law' is most fundamentally grounded in which broader moral value?
Answer: Dignity — all persons deserve equal respect and treatment as rational agents
Equality before the law is grounded in the moral value of human dignity — the belief that every person deserves equal respect and treatment regardless of status or circumstance.
A legal system that punishes an innocent person to prevent far greater social harm is most consistent with which ethical framework?
Answer: Act utilitarianism
Act utilitarianism evaluates each action by whether it maximizes overall utility; punishing an innocent person could be justified if it genuinely produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
Legal positivism, associated with H.L.A. Hart, holds that:
Answer: Law and morality are conceptually separate; law is valid if enacted through proper procedures
Legal positivism holds that the validity of law depends on its source — proper enactment through recognized procedures — not on its moral content.
In an LNAT essay, a strong ethical argument differs from a personal preference primarily because:
Answer: It provides reasoned justification appealing to principles others could rationally accept
A strong ethical argument provides justification rooted in principles that have logical force beyond personal taste, making it persuasive to others who may not share the same preferences.
Which of the following best exemplifies the ethical concept of 'distributive justice'?
Answer: Determining how a society should allocate benefits and burdens fairly among its members
Distributive justice concerns the fair allocation of resources, opportunities, and burdens across society — it addresses who gets what, not punishment or procedural fairness.