Question 1

Of the following explanations, which most accurately explains the Lenient Thesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a serious wrong to deceive a person into sex by misleading him or her about certain run-of-the-mill personal features such as one's occupation. 
B)  It is not a serious wrong to deceive a person into sex by misleading him or her about certain run-of-the-mill personal features such as one's occupation. 
C)  One should be lenient with punishments for someone who unknowingly deceives another into sex because he or she may not have known the other's deal breakers. 
D)  One should be lenient with punishments for someone who deceives another into sex by misleading him or her about personal features such as one's religion or ethnicity. 
A)  It is a serious wrong to deceive a person into sex by misleading him or her about certain run-of-the-mill personal features such as one's occupation. 
B)  It is not a serious wrong to deceive a person into sex by misleading him or her about certain run-of-the-mill personal features such as one's occupation. 
C)  One should be lenient with punishments for someone who unknowingly deceives another into sex because he or she may not have known the other's deal breakers. 
D)  One should be lenient with punishments for someone who deceives another into sex by misleading him or her about personal features such as one's religion or ethnicity.

Question 2

Which of the following can we infer from Estes's claim that what matters is not how communication about voluntary participation in sex was achieved but that each partner possessed a reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire existed?

Accepted Answer

A)  Communication should be explicit rather than implicit to establish a reasonable conscientious belief in all partners that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist. 
B)  It matters more that sexual partners desire to have sex with each other than the existence of their beliefs that each one consents to having sex. 
C)  In certain circumstances, it may be possible that a single subtle gesture such as a wink is sufficient to cause partners to have a reasonable belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist. 
D)  Nonlinguistic forms of communication are unable to establish a reasonable conscientious belief in all partners that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist. 
A)  Communication should be explicit rather than implicit to establish a reasonable conscientious belief in all partners that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist. 
B)  It matters more that sexual partners desire to have sex with each other than the existence of their beliefs that each one consents to having sex. 
C)  In certain circumstances, it may be possible that a single subtle gesture such as a wink is sufficient to cause partners to have a reasonable belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist. 
D)  Nonlinguistic forms of communication are unable to establish a reasonable conscientious belief in all partners that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire exist.

Question 3

Which of the following would count as an objection to Singer's argument that we should prevent bad from happening if it is within our power to do so and we do not have to sacrifice anything of comparable moral importance?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no morally relevant distinction between people suffering far away and people suffering close by, since all persons, no matter their location, have equal moral worth. 
B)  People are not obligated to prevent bad from happening since oftentimes it is not within their sole power to do so, and instead they must rely on the resources of private organizations or governments to be able to prevent suffering. 
C)  People are not constantly obligated to prevent bad from happening just because they are able to do so, because otherwise people would not be able to live morally valuable lives and instead their life projects would be held hostage to the existence of other people's suffering. 
D)  With how interconnected the world is, most people living in affluent countries have the power to prevent something bad from happening far away and do not need to sacrifice anything of comparable moral importance to do so. 
A)  There is no morally relevant distinction between people suffering far away and people suffering close by, since all persons, no matter their location, have equal moral worth. 
B)  People are not obligated to prevent bad from happening since oftentimes it is not within their sole power to do so, and instead they must rely on the resources of private organizations or governments to be able to prevent suffering. 
C)  People are not constantly obligated to prevent bad from happening just because they are able to do so, because otherwise people would not be able to live morally valuable lives and instead their life projects would be held hostage to the existence of other people's suffering. 
D)  With how interconnected the world is, most people living in affluent countries have the power to prevent something bad from happening far away and do not need to sacrifice anything of comparable moral importance to do so.

Question 4

Marquis argues that because a fetus has a future like ours, it is always morally wrong to kill it.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Shue argues that it is possible for terroristic torture to satisfy the constraint of possible compliance on the part of the torture victim.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which of the following best captures Metz's conception of degradation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Behavior that impermissibly strips autonomous human beings of their autonomy. 
B)  Unfriendly treatment of someone who does not warrant unfriendly treatment. 
C)  The wrongful estrangement of an individual from communal forms of life. 
D)  Humiliation of an individual by cruel and unusual forms of punitive retribution. 
A)  Behavior that impermissibly strips autonomous human beings of their autonomy. 
B)  Unfriendly treatment of someone who does not warrant unfriendly treatment. 
C)  The wrongful estrangement of an individual from communal forms of life. 
D)  Humiliation of an individual by cruel and unusual forms of punitive retribution.

Question 7

Mencius argues that rulers should focus on benevolence and righteousness if they want to be great kings.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Why does Bentham think that it's unnecessary to give a proof of the principle of utility? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Bentham believes that it is unnecessary

Question 9

Which of the following best explains the concept of the "temporal lag" involved in climate change?

Accepted Answer

A)  The effects of carbon dioxide emitted today will not be felt until much later, and they will persist for hundreds of years. 
B)  The harms caused by carbon dioxide emissions tend to fall on nonhuman species and on people who have done nothing to cause the problem. 
C)  Carbon dioxide emitted anywhere in the world affects everyone in the world, meaning that the people who emit carbon dioxide do not suffer the full effects of their emissions. 
D)  Our parents' and grandparents' carbon dioxide emissions have already made it impossible to prevent climate change, so there is nothing we can do but adapt to it. 
A)  The effects of carbon dioxide emitted today will not be felt until much later, and they will persist for hundreds of years. 
B)  The harms caused by carbon dioxide emissions tend to fall on nonhuman species and on people who have done nothing to cause the problem. 
C)  Carbon dioxide emitted anywhere in the world affects everyone in the world, meaning that the people who emit carbon dioxide do not suffer the full effects of their emissions. 
D)  Our parents' and grandparents' carbon dioxide emissions have already made it impossible to prevent climate change, so there is nothing we can do but adapt to it.

Question 10

Which of the following best captures Kant's reason for thinking that the categorical imperative requires treating rational beings as ends in themselves?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a universal psychological law of humanity that each individual regards himself or herself as unconditionally valuable, and so acting on universal laws requires treating people as ends in themselves. 
B)  All other ends that an imperative might tell you to pursue are ends for you only if you have particular inclinations, but you necessarily regard your own rational nature as an end in itself, as does every other rational being. 
C)  Most ends are pursued for the sake of something else, as a job is pursued for the sake of money, but each person pursues his or her own happiness for its own sake, making humanity an end in itself. 
D)  Everyone recognizes that others will treat them with respect if they treat others with respect, leading everyone to acknowledge everyone else as ends in themselves to be treated with respect themselves. 
A)  It is a universal psychological law of humanity that each individual regards himself or herself as unconditionally valuable, and so acting on universal laws requires treating people as ends in themselves. 
B)  All other ends that an imperative might tell you to pursue are ends for you only if you have particular inclinations, but you necessarily regard your own rational nature as an end in itself, as does every other rational being. 
C)  Most ends are pursued for the sake of something else, as a job is pursued for the sake of money, but each person pursues his or her own happiness for its own sake, making humanity an end in itself. 
D)  Everyone recognizes that others will treat them with respect if they treat others with respect, leading everyone to acknowledge everyone else as ends in themselves to be treated with respect themselves.

Question 11

What is Singer's rebuttal of the argument that one should have no obligation to give more than five pounds to the Bengal Relief Fund because if everyone donated five pounds, then the needs of all the refugees would be met?

Accepted Answer

A)  Singer argues that one is obligated to give more than other people in the same circumstances because one should strive to be more moral than one's peers. 
B)  Singer argues that this argument is based on a false hypothetical premise since not everyone will give five pounds, and so one has an obligation to give more than five pounds. 
C)  Singer argues that one has no obligation to give more than five pounds because one only has a duty to help others and be charitable to a minimal extent. 
D)  Singer argues that one should have obligations not only to give money to the Bengal Relief Fund but also to join a nonprofit organization working to help the needs of refugees. 
A)  Singer argues that one is obligated to give more than other people in the same circumstances because one should strive to be more moral than one's peers. 
B)  Singer argues that this argument is based on a false hypothetical premise since not everyone will give five pounds, and so one has an obligation to give more than five pounds. 
C)  Singer argues that one has no obligation to give more than five pounds because one only has a duty to help others and be charitable to a minimal extent. 
D)  Singer argues that one should have obligations not only to give money to the Bengal Relief Fund but also to join a nonprofit organization working to help the needs of refugees.

Question 12

Norcross's main conclusion in this paper is:

Accepted Answer

A)  There are no morally relevant differences between humans and nonhuman animals that would justify the treatment they receive in factory farming. 
B)  Whether consuming meat is morally wrong is relative to the culture in which one is raised. 
C)  The distinction between moral patients and moral agents is irrelevant when considering how we should treat nonhuman animals. 
D)  Nonhuman animals possess enough features of rationality that they are moral agents just like us. 
A)  There are no morally relevant differences between humans and nonhuman animals that would justify the treatment they receive in factory farming. 
B)  Whether consuming meat is morally wrong is relative to the culture in which one is raised. 
C)  The distinction between moral patients and moral agents is irrelevant when considering how we should treat nonhuman animals. 
D)  Nonhuman animals possess enough features of rationality that they are moral agents just like us.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a premise in Gay-Williams's "Argument from Self-Interest"?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is always possible that a miraculous remission of symptoms will occur in a terminally ill patient, so long as the patient is alive. 
B)  Permitting euthanasia necessarily allows for the possible abuse of the practice by doctors and/or social policy makers. 
C)  Patients can only recover from a serious illness if they are inclined to fight, but euthanasia may incline patients to give up. 
D)  There is always the possibility of a new, experimental treatment working, so long as the patient is alive and willing to fight. 
A)  It is always possible that a miraculous remission of symptoms will occur in a terminally ill patient, so long as the patient is alive. 
B)  Permitting euthanasia necessarily allows for the possible abuse of the practice by doctors and/or social policy makers. 
C)  Patients can only recover from a serious illness if they are inclined to fight, but euthanasia may incline patients to give up. 
D)  There is always the possibility of a new, experimental treatment working, so long as the patient is alive and willing to fight.

Question 14

Van den Haag acknowledges that there is significant direct racial discrimination in the sentencing of those arrested and convicted for murder.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

What is Krakoff's criticism of the dominant "technological frames of thought" through which people have viewed their relationship to the environment?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has not produced the benefits that its proponents claim. 
B)  It has led to morally unacceptable levels of economic inequality in the world. 
C)  It assumes an unrealistic amount of control over the natural world. 
D)  Its benefits are starting to be outweighed by the environmental damage that it's doing. 
A)  It has not produced the benefits that its proponents claim. 
B)  It has led to morally unacceptable levels of economic inequality in the world. 
C)  It assumes an unrealistic amount of control over the natural world. 
D)  Its benefits are starting to be outweighed by the environmental damage that it's doing.

Question 16

In your own words, state Metz's main conclusion in "African Values and Capital Punishment" and summarize the main argument for this conclusion.

Accepted Answer

Metz's main conclusion in "African Value

Question 17

Why does Dershowitz discuss our acceptance of the practice of shooting fleeing felons?

Accepted Answer

A)  To argue that deadly force can only ever be justifiable used against the guilty. 
B)  To argue that this practice follows from the same general principles that are used to argue against torture. 
C)  To argue that we already accept more harmful practices than nonlethal torture to save lives. 
D)  To argue that the infliction of pain is only justified when there is certainty of the subject's guilt. 
A)  To argue that deadly force can only ever be justifiable used against the guilty. 
B)  To argue that this practice follows from the same general principles that are used to argue against torture. 
C)  To argue that we already accept more harmful practices than nonlethal torture to save lives. 
D)  To argue that the infliction of pain is only justified when there is certainty of the subject's guilt.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways in which Kant expresses the categorical imperative in the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals?

Accepted Answer

A)  Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. 
B)  Act only according to that maxim that effectively promotes the achievement of the kingdom of ends as a practical possibility. 
C)  Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means. 
D)  All maxims proceeding from a person's own legislation ought to harmonize with a possible kingdom of ends. 
A)  Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. 
B)  Act only according to that maxim that effectively promotes the achievement of the kingdom of ends as a practical possibility. 
C)  Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means. 
D)  All maxims proceeding from a person's own legislation ought to harmonize with a possible kingdom of ends.

Question 19

According to van den Haag, the principal reason that the death penalty is morally justified is that it deters others from committing capital crimes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

How might someone object to Norcross's claim that self-interest and moral rightness are distinct? Be sure to state the objection as an argument.

Accepted Answer

One possible objection to Norcross's cla

Of the following explanations, which most accurately explains the Lenient Thesis?

Which of the following can we infer from Estes's claim that what matters is not how communication about voluntary participation in sex was achieved but that each partner possessed a reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire existed?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Singer's argument that we should prevent bad from happening if it is within our power to do so and we do not have to sacrifice anything of comparable moral importance?

Marquis argues that because a fetus has a future like ours, it is always morally wrong to kill it.

Shue argues that it is possible for terroristic torture to satisfy the constraint of possible compliance on the part of the torture victim.

Which of the following best captures Metz's conception of degradation?

Mencius argues that rulers should focus on benevolence and righteousness if they want to be great kings.

Why does Bentham think that it's unnecessary to give a proof of the principle of utility? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Which of the following best explains the concept of the "temporal lag" involved in climate change?

Which of the following best captures Kant's reason for thinking that the categorical imperative requires treating rational beings as ends in themselves?

What is Singer's rebuttal of the argument that one should have no obligation to give more than five pounds to the Bengal Relief Fund because if everyone donated five pounds, then the needs of all the refugees would be met?

Norcross's main conclusion in this paper is:

Which of the following is NOT a premise in Gay-Williams's "Argument from Self-Interest"?

Van den Haag acknowledges that there is significant direct racial discrimination in the sentencing of those arrested and convicted for murder.

What is Krakoff's criticism of the dominant "technological frames of thought" through which people have viewed their relationship to the environment?

In your own words, state Metz's main conclusion in "African Values and Capital Punishment" and summarize the main argument for this conclusion.

Why does Dershowitz discuss our acceptance of the practice of shooting fleeing felons?

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways in which Kant expresses the categorical imperative in the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals?

According to van den Haag, the principal reason that the death penalty is morally justified is that it deters others from committing capital crimes.

How might someone object to Norcross's claim that self-interest and moral rightness are distinct? Be sure to state the objection as an argument.

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

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

Of the following explanations, which most accurately explains the Lenient Thesis?

Which of the following can we infer from Estes's claim that what matters is not how communication about voluntary participation in sex was achieved but that each partner possessed a reasonable conscientious belief that reciprocal consent, concern, and desire existed?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Singer's argument that we should prevent bad from happening if it is within our power to do so and we do not have to sacrifice anything of comparable moral importance?

Marquis argues that because a fetus has a future like ours, it is always morally wrong to kill it.

Shue argues that it is possible for terroristic torture to satisfy the constraint of possible compliance on the part of the torture victim.

Which of the following best captures Metz's conception of degradation?

Mencius argues that rulers should focus on benevolence and righteousness if they want to be great kings.

Why does Bentham think that it's unnecessary to give a proof of the principle of utility? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Which of the following best explains the concept of the "temporal lag" involved in climate change?

Which of the following best captures Kant's reason for thinking that the categorical imperative requires treating rational beings as ends in themselves?

What is Singer's rebuttal of the argument that one should have no obligation to give more than five pounds to the Bengal Relief Fund because if everyone donated five pounds, then the needs of all the refugees would be met?

Norcross's main conclusion in this paper is:

Which of the following is NOT a premise in Gay-Williams's "Argument from Self-Interest"?

Van den Haag acknowledges that there is significant direct racial discrimination in the sentencing of those arrested and convicted for murder.

What is Krakoff's criticism of the dominant "technological frames of thought" through which people have viewed their relationship to the environment?

In your own words, state Metz's main conclusion in "African Values and Capital Punishment" and summarize the main argument for this conclusion.

Why does Dershowitz discuss our acceptance of the practice of shooting fleeing felons?

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways in which Kant expresses the categorical imperative in the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals?

According to van den Haag, the principal reason that the death penalty is morally justified is that it deters others from committing capital crimes.

How might someone object to Norcross's claim that self-interest and moral rightness are distinct? Be sure to state the objection as an argument.

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