Question 1

In your own words, state Garcia's main conclusion in "The Heat of Racism" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

Accepted Answer

In "The Heat of Racism," Garcia's main c

Question 2

Wolf argues that the aggressive administration of pain-relieving drugs that foreseeably increase the risk of the patient's death is not a case of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide because:

Accepted Answer

A)  Many therapeutic actions by medical professionals foreseeably increase the risk of death as well. 
B)  Death must be the immediate result of a practice for that practice to qualify as an act of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. 
C)  Patients may consent to the aggressive administration of pain-relieving drugs without knowing the relevant risks. 
D)  In such a case, the patient is not killed, but is merely allowed to die. 
A)  Many therapeutic actions by medical professionals foreseeably increase the risk of death as well. 
B)  Death must be the immediate result of a practice for that practice to qualify as an act of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. 
C)  Patients may consent to the aggressive administration of pain-relieving drugs without knowing the relevant risks. 
D)  In such a case, the patient is not killed, but is merely allowed to die.

Question 3

Warren's main conclusion in "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion" is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  The right to control one's body or property is a weak argument for the permissibility of abortion. 
B)  Abortion is morally wrong because human fetuses satisfy the criteria for personhood and therefore are members of the moral community. 
C)  Human fetuses satisfy none of the criteria for personhood and therefore are not members of the moral community. 
D)  Abortion should be legal although it is immoral since greater harm would result from making abortion illegal. 
A)  The right to control one's body or property is a weak argument for the permissibility of abortion. 
B)  Abortion is morally wrong because human fetuses satisfy the criteria for personhood and therefore are members of the moral community. 
C)  Human fetuses satisfy none of the criteria for personhood and therefore are not members of the moral community. 
D)  Abortion should be legal although it is immoral since greater harm would result from making abortion illegal.

Question 4

Which of the following can we infer from Warren's argument that nonpersons lack the moral rights that persons possess?

Accepted Answer

A)  It's morally permissible to kill a newborn infant. 
B)  Newborn infants lack the right to life. 
C)  Newborn infants have more moral rights than sophisticated nonhuman animals. 
D)  Newborn infants have the right to life but fetuses do not. 
A)  It's morally permissible to kill a newborn infant. 
B)  Newborn infants lack the right to life. 
C)  Newborn infants have more moral rights than sophisticated nonhuman animals. 
D)  Newborn infants have the right to life but fetuses do not.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the three claims that Collins makes about the role of relationships in morality?

Accepted Answer

A)  We can look to healthy personal relationships for a model of moral action and attitudes. 
B)  When you have a responsibility to someone, that responsibility is often greater if you have a personal relationship with the person than if you don't. 
C)  Because culture and tradition dictate which personal relationships are important, cultural variations can determine one's obligations. 
D)  Actions and attitudes that promote, preserve, or honor personal relationships have great moral importance. 
A)  We can look to healthy personal relationships for a model of moral action and attitudes. 
B)  When you have a responsibility to someone, that responsibility is often greater if you have a personal relationship with the person than if you don't. 
C)  Because culture and tradition dictate which personal relationships are important, cultural variations can determine one's obligations. 
D)  Actions and attitudes that promote, preserve, or honor personal relationships have great moral importance.

Question 6

Given his arguments in "Active and Passive Euthanasia," how would Rachels likely object to Gay-Williams's argument that passive euthanasia is not a legitimate instance of euthanasia? Be sure to state this objection as a complete argument.

Accepted Answer

Rachels would likely object to Gay-Willi

Question 7

Why does the temporal lag in the effects of carbon dioxide emissions make it hard for us to respond to climate change, according to Krakoff?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because humans are inherently selfish, we are not motivated to take actions that will mostly benefit people who live in the distant future. 
B)  Since climate change results from everyone's carbon dioxide emissions anywhere in the world, no individual person has a strong reason to reduce his or her own emissions. 
C)  The temporal lag means that we cannot observe the effects of our emissions and so we have no way of knowing whether our emissions really will harm people in the future. 
D)  The temporal lag makes it hard for us to perceive the problem and forces us to respond to the problem based on predictions of future effects rather than direct observation of those effects. 
A)  Because humans are inherently selfish, we are not motivated to take actions that will mostly benefit people who live in the distant future. 
B)  Since climate change results from everyone's carbon dioxide emissions anywhere in the world, no individual person has a strong reason to reduce his or her own emissions. 
C)  The temporal lag means that we cannot observe the effects of our emissions and so we have no way of knowing whether our emissions really will harm people in the future. 
D)  The temporal lag makes it hard for us to perceive the problem and forces us to respond to the problem based on predictions of future effects rather than direct observation of those effects.

Question 8

Mill's theory of utilitarianism says that each person ought to make as many people happy as possible.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Broome argues that offsetting your carbon emissions by paying a company to reduce emissions elsewhere is a morally appropriate way to prevent unjust harms from your emissions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

How might someone object to Singer's claim that the capacity for suffering is a prerequisite for having interests? Be sure to state your objection as a complete argument.

Accepted Answer

One possible objection to Singer's claim

Question 11

Why, according to Mill, do the requirements of justice excite stronger feelings than the idea of utility?

Accepted Answer

According to Mill, the requirements of j

Question 12

Supporters of physician-assisted suicide have argued that physicians have a duty to make assisted suicide available based on their duties to care for their patients.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Garcia argues that thinking about racism as rooted in one's wants, intentions, likes, and dislikes fits common sense and ordinary usage.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Which of the following would count as a "collateral casualty," as Abbate uses that term?

Accepted Answer

A)  Soldiers blow up a building that they reasonably believe houses enemy soldiers, but in fact there are civilians inside. 
B)  Soldiers blow up a weapons factory that they reasonably believe is empty, but in fact there are enemy soldiers inside. 
C)  The air force bombs a residential area of an enemy city to reduce support for the war among the enemy populace. 
D)  The military evacuates a residential neighborhood in an enemy city and then blows up the buildings to reduce support for the war among the enemy populace. 
A)  Soldiers blow up a building that they reasonably believe houses enemy soldiers, but in fact there are civilians inside. 
B)  Soldiers blow up a weapons factory that they reasonably believe is empty, but in fact there are enemy soldiers inside. 
C)  The air force bombs a residential area of an enemy city to reduce support for the war among the enemy populace. 
D)  The military evacuates a residential neighborhood in an enemy city and then blows up the buildings to reduce support for the war among the enemy populace.

Question 15

What role does the discussion of potential misdiagnosis of a terminal condition play in Gay-Williams's argument against euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is used as a premise for the conclusion that euthanasia is inherently against human nature. 
B)  It is used as a premise for the conclusion that euthanasia is never in one's self-interest. 
C)  It is used to respond to the argument that there is no meaningful distinction between active and passive euthanasia. 
D)  It is used to explain the potentially corrupting influence euthanasia could have on health-care professionals. 
A)  It is used as a premise for the conclusion that euthanasia is inherently against human nature. 
B)  It is used as a premise for the conclusion that euthanasia is never in one's self-interest. 
C)  It is used to respond to the argument that there is no meaningful distinction between active and passive euthanasia. 
D)  It is used to explain the potentially corrupting influence euthanasia could have on health-care professionals.

Question 16

Nell argues that the metaphor of Earth as a lifeboat is not sufficiently similar to our current situation to be useful in moral theorizing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

In your own words, explain Bentham's detailed procedure for determining whether an action is right or wrong.

Accepted Answer

Bentham's detailed procedure for determi

Question 18

According to Krakoff, the effects of our carbon dioxide emissions will last for hundreds of years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

What is the difference between an "uninhabited aerial vehicle" and an "independent autonomous weapon," according to Strawser?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uninhabited aerial vehicles are one type of independent autonomous weapon, but independent autonomous weapons also include weapons that operate on the ground or in the water. 
B)  Uninhabited aerial vehicles, by definition, do not carry humans, but independent autonomous weapons could carry human passengers for surveillance or transport purposes. 
C)  An independent autonomous weapon can "decide" to kill people without direct human input, whereas an uninhabited aerial vehicle will only use lethal force following an explicit command from a human operator. 
D)  Independent autonomous weapons can be controlled from anywhere in the world via satellite, whereas uninhabited aerial vehicles must be controlled by radio from a soldier close to the vehicle. 
A)  Uninhabited aerial vehicles are one type of independent autonomous weapon, but independent autonomous weapons also include weapons that operate on the ground or in the water. 
B)  Uninhabited aerial vehicles, by definition, do not carry humans, but independent autonomous weapons could carry human passengers for surveillance or transport purposes. 
C)  An independent autonomous weapon can "decide" to kill people without direct human input, whereas an uninhabited aerial vehicle will only use lethal force following an explicit command from a human operator. 
D)  Independent autonomous weapons can be controlled from anywhere in the world via satellite, whereas uninhabited aerial vehicles must be controlled by radio from a soldier close to the vehicle.

Question 20

Which of the following would count as an objection to Singer's assumption of a principle of impartiality or universalizability?

Accepted Answer

A)  Since moral theories should be grounded in reason, moral principles should be able to be universalized without generating any logical contradictions. 
B)  Since humans are social creatures, their moral worth depends largely on their relationships to others and their communities. People therefore should have stronger obligation to those with whom they stand in special relationships, such as family members, friends, or fellow citizens. 
C)  People are unable to psychologically care about those very far away. Since psychology should be a basis for morality, we should only be obligated to those close to us that we are able to care about. 
D)  When resources are being distributed, it is not always best to distribute them impartially in equal amounts to everyone since that would destroy incentives for people to work harder to earn more. 
A)  Since moral theories should be grounded in reason, moral principles should be able to be universalized without generating any logical contradictions. 
B)  Since humans are social creatures, their moral worth depends largely on their relationships to others and their communities. People therefore should have stronger obligation to those with whom they stand in special relationships, such as family members, friends, or fellow citizens. 
C)  People are unable to psychologically care about those very far away. Since psychology should be a basis for morality, we should only be obligated to those close to us that we are able to care about. 
D)  When resources are being distributed, it is not always best to distribute them impartially in equal amounts to everyone since that would destroy incentives for people to work harder to earn more.

In your own words, state Garcia's main conclusion in "The Heat of Racism" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

Wolf argues that the aggressive administration of pain-relieving drugs that foreseeably increase the risk of the patient's death is not a case of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide because:

Warren's main conclusion in "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion" is that:

Which of the following can we infer from Warren's argument that nonpersons lack the moral rights that persons possess?

Which of the following is NOT one of the three claims that Collins makes about the role of relationships in morality?

Given his arguments in "Active and Passive Euthanasia," how would Rachels likely object to Gay-Williams's argument that passive euthanasia is not a legitimate instance of euthanasia? Be sure to state this objection as a complete argument.

Why does the temporal lag in the effects of carbon dioxide emissions make it hard for us to respond to climate change, according to Krakoff?

Mill's theory of utilitarianism says that each person ought to make as many people happy as possible.

Broome argues that offsetting your carbon emissions by paying a company to reduce emissions elsewhere is a morally appropriate way to prevent unjust harms from your emissions.

How might someone object to Singer's claim that the capacity for suffering is a prerequisite for having interests? Be sure to state your objection as a complete argument.

Why, according to Mill, do the requirements of justice excite stronger feelings than the idea of utility?

Supporters of physician-assisted suicide have argued that physicians have a duty to make assisted suicide available based on their duties to care for their patients.

Garcia argues that thinking about racism as rooted in one's wants, intentions, likes, and dislikes fits common sense and ordinary usage.

Which of the following would count as a "collateral casualty," as Abbate uses that term?

What role does the discussion of potential misdiagnosis of a terminal condition play in Gay-Williams's argument against euthanasia?

Nell argues that the metaphor of Earth as a lifeboat is not sufficiently similar to our current situation to be useful in moral theorizing.

In your own words, explain Bentham's detailed procedure for determining whether an action is right or wrong.

According to Krakoff, the effects of our carbon dioxide emissions will last for hundreds of years.

What is the difference between an "uninhabited aerial vehicle" and an "independent autonomous weapon," according to Strawser?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Singer's assumption of a principle of impartiality or universalizability?

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

In your own words, state Garcia's main conclusion in "The Heat of Racism" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

Wolf argues that the aggressive administration of pain-relieving drugs that foreseeably increase the risk of the patient's death is not a case of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide because:

Warren's main conclusion in "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion" is that:

Which of the following can we infer from Warren's argument that nonpersons lack the moral rights that persons possess?

Which of the following is NOT one of the three claims that Collins makes about the role of relationships in morality?

Given his arguments in "Active and Passive Euthanasia," how would Rachels likely object to Gay-Williams's argument that passive euthanasia is not a legitimate instance of euthanasia? Be sure to state this objection as a complete argument.

Why does the temporal lag in the effects of carbon dioxide emissions make it hard for us to respond to climate change, according to Krakoff?

Mill's theory of utilitarianism says that each person ought to make as many people happy as possible.

Broome argues that offsetting your carbon emissions by paying a company to reduce emissions elsewhere is a morally appropriate way to prevent unjust harms from your emissions.

How might someone object to Singer's claim that the capacity for suffering is a prerequisite for having interests? Be sure to state your objection as a complete argument.

Why, according to Mill, do the requirements of justice excite stronger feelings than the idea of utility?

Supporters of physician-assisted suicide have argued that physicians have a duty to make assisted suicide available based on their duties to care for their patients.

Garcia argues that thinking about racism as rooted in one's wants, intentions, likes, and dislikes fits common sense and ordinary usage.

Which of the following would count as a "collateral casualty," as Abbate uses that term?

What role does the discussion of potential misdiagnosis of a terminal condition play in Gay-Williams's argument against euthanasia?

Nell argues that the metaphor of Earth as a lifeboat is not sufficiently similar to our current situation to be useful in moral theorizing.

In your own words, explain Bentham's detailed procedure for determining whether an action is right or wrong.

According to Krakoff, the effects of our carbon dioxide emissions will last for hundreds of years.

What is the difference between an "uninhabited aerial vehicle" and an "independent autonomous weapon," according to Strawser?

Which of the following would count as an objection to Singer's assumption of a principle of impartiality or universalizability?

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