Question 1

How does Singer understand the phrase "without sacrificing anything of comparable moral significance"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Singer thinks it means one should always promote what is good and not merely prevent what is bad, because promoting good is the opposite side of the coin to preventing bad. 
B)  Singer thinks it means one should never sacrifice one's own interests to help someone else because one's own interests are more important than the interests of others. 
C)  Singer thinks it means one should never do something wrong in itself because evils are always incomparable. 
D)  Singer thinks it means one should not cause anything comparably bad from happening, do something wrong in itself, or fail to promote a good comparable in significance to the bad one can prevent. 
A)  Singer thinks it means one should always promote what is good and not merely prevent what is bad, because promoting good is the opposite side of the coin to preventing bad. 
B)  Singer thinks it means one should never sacrifice one's own interests to help someone else because one's own interests are more important than the interests of others. 
C)  Singer thinks it means one should never do something wrong in itself because evils are always incomparable. 
D)  Singer thinks it means one should not cause anything comparably bad from happening, do something wrong in itself, or fail to promote a good comparable in significance to the bad one can prevent.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT true of Strawser's central claim, which he calls "OP"?

Accepted Answer

A)  It applies only to military operations that are permitted by the rules of just war. 
B)  It applies only to operations in which carrying out the operation with an uninhabited aerial vehicle would not significantly reduce the chance of success. 
C)  It says that the military is obligated to use uninhabited aerial vehicles in certain cases. 
D)  It assumes that using uninhabited aerial vehicles is less expensive than using regular fighter jets or bombers. 
A)  It applies only to military operations that are permitted by the rules of just war. 
B)  It applies only to operations in which carrying out the operation with an uninhabited aerial vehicle would not significantly reduce the chance of success. 
C)  It says that the military is obligated to use uninhabited aerial vehicles in certain cases. 
D)  It assumes that using uninhabited aerial vehicles is less expensive than using regular fighter jets or bombers.

Question 3

Which of the following best captures the central question that Sinnott-Armstrong is asking in "It's Not My Fault"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Do individuals have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? 
B)  Who is morally responsible for causing climate change? 
C)  Do governments have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? 
D)  Which principle best explains why individuals have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? 
A)  Do individuals have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? 
B)  Who is morally responsible for causing climate change? 
C)  Do governments have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions? 
D)  Which principle best explains why individuals have a moral obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions?

Question 4

What does Mencius mean when he says that "human nature is good"?

Accepted Answer

A)  That all humans are good but can be corrupted by circumstances. 
B)  That although many humans act badly, they are good at heart. 
C)  That people are only acting as humans when they act virtuously. 
D)  That everyone has the natural capacity to become good. 
A)  That all humans are good but can be corrupted by circumstances. 
B)  That although many humans act badly, they are good at heart. 
C)  That people are only acting as humans when they act virtuously. 
D)  That everyone has the natural capacity to become good.

Question 5

What role does the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably play in this paper?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nell argues for the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably. 
B)  Nell assumes the claim as a premise in arguing that we have a duty to try to prevent and postpone famine deaths. 
C)  Nell uses the claim to explain that we have a corresponding duty not to kill. 
D)  Nell notes that the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably entails that persons have a right not to be allowed to die by those who could prevent it. 
A)  Nell argues for the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably. 
B)  Nell assumes the claim as a premise in arguing that we have a duty to try to prevent and postpone famine deaths. 
C)  Nell uses the claim to explain that we have a corresponding duty not to kill. 
D)  Nell notes that the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably entails that persons have a right not to be allowed to die by those who could prevent it.

Question 6

According to McMahan's "responsibility criterion," when is it permissible to attack noncombatants in war?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is permissible to attack noncombatants whenever they pose an unjust threat. 
B)  It is never permissible to attack noncombatants in war. 
C)  When the noncombatants are collateral damage in carrying out a legitimate military objective. 
D)  When the noncombatants are morally responsible for initiating or sustaining an unjust threat and attacking them would reduce or eliminate that threat. 
A)  It is permissible to attack noncombatants whenever they pose an unjust threat. 
B)  It is never permissible to attack noncombatants in war. 
C)  When the noncombatants are collateral damage in carrying out a legitimate military objective. 
D)  When the noncombatants are morally responsible for initiating or sustaining an unjust threat and attacking them would reduce or eliminate that threat.

Question 7

According to Thomas, affirmative action could help correct for biases that enter into decisions about who is the best qualified candidate for a position.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following best characterizes one of the reasons that Eaton thinks the evidence critics cite to object to antiporn feminism is inconclusive?

Accepted Answer

A)  The studies these critics cite often commit an ecologic fallacy in which they ascribe characteristics to members of a group that they may not in fact possess as individuals. 
B)  The studies these critics cite do not analyze countries with a sufficient population size to determine that pornography causes no harm. 
C)  The studies these critics cite are too outdated and do not analyze the harms of pornography after the advent of the Internet. 
D)  The studies these critics cite show there is a strong correlation between exposure to pornography and the rise of sexual assault and rape. 
A)  The studies these critics cite often commit an ecologic fallacy in which they ascribe characteristics to members of a group that they may not in fact possess as individuals. 
B)  The studies these critics cite do not analyze countries with a sufficient population size to determine that pornography causes no harm. 
C)  The studies these critics cite are too outdated and do not analyze the harms of pornography after the advent of the Internet. 
D)  The studies these critics cite show there is a strong correlation between exposure to pornography and the rise of sexual assault and rape.

Question 9

According to Metz, degradation occurs when one behaves in an unfriendly manner toward someone who is not meant to counteract his or her own unfriendliness.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of an indecent abortion, according to Thomson?

Accepted Answer

A)  Aborting a fetus that results from rape. 
B)  Aborting a fetus that poses a threat to the mother's life. 
C)  Aborting a fetus that poses a threat to the mother's health and well-being. 
D)  Aborting a fetus that would prevent the mother's planned trip abroad. 
A)  Aborting a fetus that results from rape. 
B)  Aborting a fetus that poses a threat to the mother's life. 
C)  Aborting a fetus that poses a threat to the mother's health and well-being. 
D)  Aborting a fetus that would prevent the mother's planned trip abroad.

Question 11

Singer thinks that although people should contribute everything they do not need to relieve the suffering of destitute others, we should not advertise this moral conclusion because otherwise people wouldn't contribute out of the goodness of their hearts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

What is Abbate's basic conclusion in "Assuming Risk: A Critical Analysis of a Soldier's Duty to Prevent Collateral Casualties"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Soldiers are forbidden to take on additional risks to protect civilians, except with respect to certain kinds of civilians. 
B)  Soldiers may take on additional risks to protect civilians only when their military commanders order them to do so. 
C)  The military needs to restructure its chain of command to minimize civilian casualties. 
D)  Soldiers are only obligated to assume extra risks to protect civilians when fighting in an unjust war. 
A)  Soldiers are forbidden to take on additional risks to protect civilians, except with respect to certain kinds of civilians. 
B)  Soldiers may take on additional risks to protect civilians only when their military commanders order them to do so. 
C)  The military needs to restructure its chain of command to minimize civilian casualties. 
D)  Soldiers are only obligated to assume extra risks to protect civilians when fighting in an unjust war.

Question 13

How does Broome respond to the objection that offsetting your greenhouse gas emissions shifts responsibility for reducing emissions from the rich to the poor?

Accepted Answer

A)  By arguing that it is best for the world as a whole if emissions are reduced as cheaply as possible, and it is currently cheaper to reduce emissions in poorer countries than in richer ones. 
B)  By admitting that this is a way of shifting responsibility but insisting that it is okay because offsetting does not harm the poor and reduces inequality. 
C)  By arguing that there are just as many opportunities to offset emissions in rich countries as in poor ones, so offsetting does not always transfer responsibility to poorer people. 
D)  By pointing out that transferring emissions reductions from rich countries to poor countries is morally similar to sending toxic waste from rich countries to poor countries, which used to be a common practice. 
A)  By arguing that it is best for the world as a whole if emissions are reduced as cheaply as possible, and it is currently cheaper to reduce emissions in poorer countries than in richer ones. 
B)  By admitting that this is a way of shifting responsibility but insisting that it is okay because offsetting does not harm the poor and reduces inequality. 
C)  By arguing that there are just as many opportunities to offset emissions in rich countries as in poor ones, so offsetting does not always transfer responsibility to poorer people. 
D)  By pointing out that transferring emissions reductions from rich countries to poor countries is morally similar to sending toxic waste from rich countries to poor countries, which used to be a common practice.

Question 14

According to Abbate, Walzer's principle of risk says that soldiers are obligated to assume extra risks to protect all civilians.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

In your own words, explain the idea of the kingdom of ends. What does it have to do with the categorical imperative?

Accepted Answer

The idea of the kingdom of ends is a con

Question 16

Which of the following would count as an objection to Sinnott-Armstrong's main argument?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although the greenhouse gas emissions from an individual action, such as a Sunday drive, do an imperceptible amount of harm, they still do some harm to an enormous number of people. Therefore, individuals have an obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions because their emissions harm other people. 
B)  Global warming is just a result of natural variation in the Earth's climate and is not caused by human activity. So, greenhouse gas emissions do not actually harm anyone. Therefore, no individual has an obligation to reduce his or her emissions. 
C)  Consequences are the only things that matter morally. Many of the principles that Sinnott-Armstrong considers are not mainly about consequences. Therefore, most of those principles are irrelevant to the morality of greenhouse gas emissions. 
D)  Sinnott-Armstrong says that governments, not individuals, have an obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it is possible for both governments and individuals to be obligated to do the same thing. Therefore, Sinnott-Armstrong's argument fails. 
A)  Although the greenhouse gas emissions from an individual action, such as a Sunday drive, do an imperceptible amount of harm, they still do some harm to an enormous number of people. Therefore, individuals have an obligation to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions because their emissions harm other people. 
B)  Global warming is just a result of natural variation in the Earth's climate and is not caused by human activity. So, greenhouse gas emissions do not actually harm anyone. Therefore, no individual has an obligation to reduce his or her emissions. 
C)  Consequences are the only things that matter morally. Many of the principles that Sinnott-Armstrong considers are not mainly about consequences. Therefore, most of those principles are irrelevant to the morality of greenhouse gas emissions. 
D)  Sinnott-Armstrong says that governments, not individuals, have an obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But it is possible for both governments and individuals to be obligated to do the same thing. Therefore, Sinnott-Armstrong's argument fails.

Question 17

According to Wolf, cases in which a physician assists a patient in committing suicide are genuine instances of euthanasia.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

According to Wolf, which of the following measures should be widely available?

Accepted Answer

A)  Palliative care that includes sedation to the point of unconsciousness. 
B)  Physicians' guidance in committing suicide by lethal overdose of prescription drugs. 
C)  Painless voluntary euthanasia by lethal injection for the terminally ill. 
D)  Terminal sedation for patients who are advised of and consent to the risk. 
A)  Palliative care that includes sedation to the point of unconsciousness. 
B)  Physicians' guidance in committing suicide by lethal overdose of prescription drugs. 
C)  Painless voluntary euthanasia by lethal injection for the terminally ill. 
D)  Terminal sedation for patients who are advised of and consent to the risk.

Question 19

Which of the following best captures the reason, according to Shue, that thought experiments involving ticking bomb cases make for poor tests of the morality of torture?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are far too extraordinary to offer guidance regarding realistic scenarios. 
B)  They conflate instances of interrogational and terroristic torture. 
C)  They are premised on implausible claims regarding just killing in combat. 
D)  They entail violations of widely accepted principals regarding "fair fights." 
A)  They are far too extraordinary to offer guidance regarding realistic scenarios. 
B)  They conflate instances of interrogational and terroristic torture. 
C)  They are premised on implausible claims regarding just killing in combat. 
D)  They entail violations of widely accepted principals regarding "fair fights."

Question 20

According to Wolf, which of the following would be considered a legitimate case of physician-assisted suicide?

Accepted Answer

A)  Administering a lethal injection to a comatose patient who has previously expressed a preference for it. 
B)  The removal of a nutrition tube from a consenting patient who is unable to feed him or herself. 
C)  A patient's voluntarily taking a lethal dose of prescribed medicine in accordance with a doctor's instructions. 
D)  Administrating a lethal injection to a conscious patient who consents to its administration. 
A)  Administering a lethal injection to a comatose patient who has previously expressed a preference for it. 
B)  The removal of a nutrition tube from a consenting patient who is unable to feed him or herself. 
C)  A patient's voluntarily taking a lethal dose of prescribed medicine in accordance with a doctor's instructions. 
D)  Administrating a lethal injection to a conscious patient who consents to its administration.

How does Singer understand the phrase "without sacrificing anything of comparable moral significance"?

Which of the following is NOT true of Strawser's central claim, which he calls "OP"?

Which of the following best captures the central question that Sinnott-Armstrong is asking in "It's Not My Fault"?

What does Mencius mean when he says that "human nature is good"?

What role does the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably play in this paper?

According to McMahan's "responsibility criterion," when is it permissible to attack noncombatants in war?

According to Thomas, affirmative action could help correct for biases that enter into decisions about who is the best qualified candidate for a position.

Which of the following best characterizes one of the reasons that Eaton thinks the evidence critics cite to object to antiporn feminism is inconclusive?

According to Metz, degradation occurs when one behaves in an unfriendly manner toward someone who is not meant to counteract his or her own unfriendliness.

Which of the following is an example of an indecent abortion, according to Thomson?

Singer thinks that although people should contribute everything they do not need to relieve the suffering of destitute others, we should not advertise this moral conclusion because otherwise people wouldn't contribute out of the goodness of their hearts.

What is Abbate's basic conclusion in "Assuming Risk: A Critical Analysis of a Soldier's Duty to Prevent Collateral Casualties"?

How does Broome respond to the objection that offsetting your greenhouse gas emissions shifts responsibility for reducing emissions from the rich to the poor?

According to Abbate, Walzer's principle of risk says that soldiers are obligated to assume extra risks to protect all civilians.

In your own words, explain the idea of the kingdom of ends. What does it have to do with the categorical imperative?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Sinnott-Armstrong's main argument?

According to Wolf, cases in which a physician assists a patient in committing suicide are genuine instances of euthanasia.

According to Wolf, which of the following measures should be widely available?

Which of the following best captures the reason, according to Shue, that thought experiments involving ticking bomb cases make for poor tests of the morality of torture?

According to Wolf, which of the following would be considered a legitimate case of physician-assisted suicide?

An Introduction to Arguments

Moral Arguments

Reasoning With Obligations

Reasoning About Consequences

Reasoning With Virtues and Vices

Reasoning With Principles and Counterexamples

Reasoning With Analogies

Answering Moral Questions

Skepticism, Subjectivism, and Relativism

Religion and Moral Reasoning

Normative Theories, Part 1

Normative Theories, Part 2

Filters

Exam 13: Aristotle's Ethics: Exploring Virtue and Justice

How does Singer understand the phrase "without sacrificing anything of comparable moral significance"?

Which of the following is NOT true of Strawser's central claim, which he calls "OP"?

Which of the following best captures the central question that Sinnott-Armstrong is asking in "It's Not My Fault"?

What does Mencius mean when he says that "human nature is good"?

What role does the claim that persons have a right not to be killed unjustifiably play in this paper?

According to McMahan's "responsibility criterion," when is it permissible to attack noncombatants in war?

According to Thomas, affirmative action could help correct for biases that enter into decisions about who is the best qualified candidate for a position.

Which of the following best characterizes one of the reasons that Eaton thinks the evidence critics cite to object to antiporn feminism is inconclusive?

According to Metz, degradation occurs when one behaves in an unfriendly manner toward someone who is not meant to counteract his or her own unfriendliness.

Which of the following is an example of an indecent abortion, according to Thomson?

Singer thinks that although people should contribute everything they do not need to relieve the suffering of destitute others, we should not advertise this moral conclusion because otherwise people wouldn't contribute out of the goodness of their hearts.

What is Abbate's basic conclusion in "Assuming Risk: A Critical Analysis of a Soldier's Duty to Prevent Collateral Casualties"?

How does Broome respond to the objection that offsetting your greenhouse gas emissions shifts responsibility for reducing emissions from the rich to the poor?

According to Abbate, Walzer's principle of risk says that soldiers are obligated to assume extra risks to protect all civilians.

In your own words, explain the idea of the kingdom of ends. What does it have to do with the categorical imperative?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Sinnott-Armstrong's main argument?

According to Wolf, cases in which a physician assists a patient in committing suicide are genuine instances of euthanasia.

According to Wolf, which of the following measures should be widely available?

Which of the following best captures the reason, according to Shue, that thought experiments involving ticking bomb cases make for poor tests of the morality of torture?

According to Wolf, which of the following would be considered a legitimate case of physician-assisted suicide?

An Introduction to Arguments

Moral Arguments

Reasoning With Obligations

Reasoning About Consequences

Reasoning With Virtues and Vices

Reasoning With Principles and Counterexamples

Reasoning With Analogies

Answering Moral Questions

Skepticism, Subjectivism, and Relativism

Religion and Moral Reasoning

Normative Theories, Part 1

Normative Theories, Part 2

Filters