Question 1

Which of the following best expresses the objection that the use of drones will lower the threshold for going to war?

Accepted Answer

A)  By making wars less risky, drones will make countries more willing to go to war. Thus, the use of drones will increase the number of wars that occur. Wars are bad. Therefore, the use of drones will lead to a bad outcome. 
B)  By making military operations less risky, drones will make commanders more willing to carry out additional combat operations. Since all combat operations carry a risk of civilian deaths, this will increase the number of civilian deaths, which is a bad thing. Therefore, the use of drones will lead to a bad outcome. 
C)  By making wars less risky, drones will make countries more willing to start wars, including unjust wars. Thus, the use of drones will increase the number of unjust wars that occur. That would be a bad thing. So, drones should not be used. 
D)  By making military operations less risky, drones will make commanders more willing to carry out more combat operations, and because those operations will be carried out by drones, they are more likely to cause civilian deaths, which are bad. Therefore, the use of drones will lead to unjust civilian casualties. 
A)  By making wars less risky, drones will make countries more willing to go to war. Thus, the use of drones will increase the number of wars that occur. Wars are bad. Therefore, the use of drones will lead to a bad outcome. 
B)  By making military operations less risky, drones will make commanders more willing to carry out additional combat operations. Since all combat operations carry a risk of civilian deaths, this will increase the number of civilian deaths, which is a bad thing. Therefore, the use of drones will lead to a bad outcome. 
C)  By making wars less risky, drones will make countries more willing to start wars, including unjust wars. Thus, the use of drones will increase the number of unjust wars that occur. That would be a bad thing. So, drones should not be used. 
D)  By making military operations less risky, drones will make commanders more willing to carry out more combat operations, and because those operations will be carried out by drones, they are more likely to cause civilian deaths, which are bad. Therefore, the use of drones will lead to unjust civilian casualties.

Question 2

In your own words, state Dougherty's main conclusion in "Sex, Lies, and Consent" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

Accepted Answer

In "Sex, Lies, and Consent," Dougherty's

Question 3

What role does the claim that no objective distinction can be drawn between core and periphery features of a sexual encounter (where when one is deceived into sex by being misled by core features but not periphery features, one's valid consent is violated) play in this paper?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dougherty uses this claim to present an objection to the Lenient Thesis, which he argues relies on a distinction between core and periphery features. 
B)  Dougherty uses this claim as a premise in arguing for the claim that nonconsensual sex is wrong because it violates the sexual rights of its victims. 
C)  Dougherty is simply noting that core features entail periphery features because the latter depends on the former. 
D)  Dougherty is using this claim to explain why having sex with an unconscious person or with someone by means of egregious deception is wrong. 
A)  Dougherty uses this claim to present an objection to the Lenient Thesis, which he argues relies on a distinction between core and periphery features. 
B)  Dougherty uses this claim as a premise in arguing for the claim that nonconsensual sex is wrong because it violates the sexual rights of its victims. 
C)  Dougherty is simply noting that core features entail periphery features because the latter depends on the former. 
D)  Dougherty is using this claim to explain why having sex with an unconscious person or with someone by means of egregious deception is wrong.

Question 4

Which of the following is the best example of a nonhuman person?

Accepted Answer

A)  A robot that is remotely controlled by humans. 
B)  A nonhuman animal that satisfies the five criteria for personhood. 
C)  A nonhuman animal that can make and use tools in the wild. 
D)  A hospital patient who is in a persistent vegetative state. 
A)  A robot that is remotely controlled by humans. 
B)  A nonhuman animal that satisfies the five criteria for personhood. 
C)  A nonhuman animal that can make and use tools in the wild. 
D)  A hospital patient who is in a persistent vegetative state.

Question 5

According to McMahan, a total legal prohibition of torture both domestically and internationally would significantly prevent its use.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Singer and Nell both offer moral principles and recommendations concerning famine problems. How do those moral principles and recommendations differ? Are they mutually contradictory?

Accepted Answer

Singer and Nell both offer moral princip

Question 7

In your own words, explain the criteria for mutually respectful sexual interaction that Estes lays out.

Accepted Answer

Estes lays out several criteria for mutu

Question 8

Which of the following does NOT, according to Thompson, follow from the fetus being a person?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fetus has the right to life. 
B)  The fetus has the same rights as other persons. 
C)  It would be wrong to kill the fetus. 
D)  A Good Samaritan would make sacrifices for the fetus's welfare. 
A)  The fetus has the right to life. 
B)  The fetus has the same rights as other persons. 
C)  It would be wrong to kill the fetus. 
D)  A Good Samaritan would make sacrifices for the fetus's welfare.

Question 9

Mill's theory of utilitarianism says that an action is right insofar as it promotes the happiness of everyone affected.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following best explains Kant's principle that you should "act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law"?

Accepted Answer

A)  You should act only on maxims that conform with the universal laws of human nature. 
B)  You should always do your duty, regardless of the consequences. 
C)  You should never act in ways that violate laws that would be in place in any well-organized society. 
D)  You should only act on principles that you could make into a law for everyone without contradicting your own will. 
A)  You should act only on maxims that conform with the universal laws of human nature. 
B)  You should always do your duty, regardless of the consequences. 
C)  You should never act in ways that violate laws that would be in place in any well-organized society. 
D)  You should only act on principles that you could make into a law for everyone without contradicting your own will.

Question 11

Which of the following could we infer from Sinnott-Armstrong's argument that the greenhouse gas emissions from a single joyride will not cause anyone any harm?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is sometimes possible for a large number of actions to cause great harm although none of the individual actions causes any harm. 
B)  Whenever a large number of actions, taken together, cause great harm, it must be because at least some of those actions cause at least some harm. 
C)  Because individual's greenhouse gas emissions do not cause any harm, global warming as a whole will not cause significant harm. 
D)  When we cannot be sure whether an action will cause harm, that is morally equivalent to saying that the action will not cause harm. 
A)  It is sometimes possible for a large number of actions to cause great harm although none of the individual actions causes any harm. 
B)  Whenever a large number of actions, taken together, cause great harm, it must be because at least some of those actions cause at least some harm. 
C)  Because individual's greenhouse gas emissions do not cause any harm, global warming as a whole will not cause significant harm. 
D)  When we cannot be sure whether an action will cause harm, that is morally equivalent to saying that the action will not cause harm.

Question 12

Which of the following would be an absurd consequence of "payback" retributivism according to Nathanson?

Accepted Answer

A)  Executioners, as killers, would have to be executed, as would their subsequent executioners. 
B)  Individuals could never be punished in a manner strictly proportionate to the severity of their crimes. 
C)  The death penalty would be considered adequate compensation to murder victims for their loss. 
D)  The execution of the innocent would be permissible if the victim considered this compensation. 
A)  Executioners, as killers, would have to be executed, as would their subsequent executioners. 
B)  Individuals could never be punished in a manner strictly proportionate to the severity of their crimes. 
C)  The death penalty would be considered adequate compensation to murder victims for their loss. 
D)  The execution of the innocent would be permissible if the victim considered this compensation.

Question 13

Which of the following claims could be inferred from Dershowitz's claim that it is far worse on a purely rational basis to shoot and kill a fleeing felon than it is to torture a terror suspect?

Accepted Answer

A)  Death is a greater and less remediable evil than the infliction of excruciating physical pain. 
B)  Use of lethal physical force is only justified when there is absolute certainty of the victim's guilt. 
C)  The public irrationally associates nonlethal torture with cases in which it is a prelude to a violent death. 
D)  The infliction of penalties up to and including death is permissible in the case of ticking bomb terror subjects. 
A)  Death is a greater and less remediable evil than the infliction of excruciating physical pain. 
B)  Use of lethal physical force is only justified when there is absolute certainty of the victim's guilt. 
C)  The public irrationally associates nonlethal torture with cases in which it is a prelude to a violent death. 
D)  The infliction of penalties up to and including death is permissible in the case of ticking bomb terror subjects.

Question 14

Steinbock's argument relies heavily on a premise, according to which nonhuman animals' interests deserve no consideration.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

How does Rachels respond to the objection that passive euthanasia is relevantly different than active euthanasia because in cases of passive euthanasia doctors do nothing to cause the death of the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Doctors cannot be said to do nothing in cases of passive euthanasia because the act of stopping treatment is itself an action intended to cause the death of the patient. 
B)  Doctors are not responsible for deaths in cases of active euthanasia because it is the drug that ultimately causes death and not the doctor. 
C)  In both cases of active and passive euthanasia, the doctor does not intend the death of the patient, although it is an inevitable consequence. 
D)  Although doctors do play a role in the death of patients by passive euthanasia, they still do not directly harm their patients as in cases of active euthanasia. 
A)  Doctors cannot be said to do nothing in cases of passive euthanasia because the act of stopping treatment is itself an action intended to cause the death of the patient. 
B)  Doctors are not responsible for deaths in cases of active euthanasia because it is the drug that ultimately causes death and not the doctor. 
C)  In both cases of active and passive euthanasia, the doctor does not intend the death of the patient, although it is an inevitable consequence. 
D)  Although doctors do play a role in the death of patients by passive euthanasia, they still do not directly harm their patients as in cases of active euthanasia.

Question 16

According to Mencius, how do you become virtuous?

Accepted Answer

According to Mencius, a Chinese philosop

Question 17

Which of the following, according to McMahon, best explains the permissibility of torturing a terrorist in a ticking bomb scenario?

Accepted Answer

A)  Torturing the terrorist would be the lesser of two potential evils. 
B)  All terrorists, by their actions, are inherently deserving of torture. 
C)  Torturing the terrorist would be sanctioned by domestic and international law. 
D)  The terrorist has made himself liable to be tortured by his actions. 
A)  Torturing the terrorist would be the lesser of two potential evils. 
B)  All terrorists, by their actions, are inherently deserving of torture. 
C)  Torturing the terrorist would be sanctioned by domestic and international law. 
D)  The terrorist has made himself liable to be tortured by his actions.

Question 18

According to Wolf, a physician is not morally obliged to do everything that a patient requests in a course of treatment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Abbate claims that when a military is attempting to liberate the civilians of another country, soldiers have an obligation to assume special risks to protect them.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Dershowitz argues that whereas formally regulated torture would create a precedent for torture, an "off-the-books" secret system of torture would not.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which of the following best expresses the objection that the use of drones will lower the threshold for going to war?

In your own words, state Dougherty's main conclusion in "Sex, Lies, and Consent" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

What role does the claim that no objective distinction can be drawn between core and periphery features of a sexual encounter (where when one is deceived into sex by being misled by core features but not periphery features, one's valid consent is violated) play in this paper?

Which of the following is the best example of a nonhuman person?

According to McMahan, a total legal prohibition of torture both domestically and internationally would significantly prevent its use.

Singer and Nell both offer moral principles and recommendations concerning famine problems. How do those moral principles and recommendations differ? Are they mutually contradictory?

In your own words, explain the criteria for mutually respectful sexual interaction that Estes lays out.

Which of the following does NOT, according to Thompson, follow from the fetus being a person?

Mill's theory of utilitarianism says that an action is right insofar as it promotes the happiness of everyone affected.

Which of the following best explains Kant's principle that you should "act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law"?

Which of the following could we infer from Sinnott-Armstrong's argument that the greenhouse gas emissions from a single joyride will not cause anyone any harm?

Which of the following would be an absurd consequence of "payback" retributivism according to Nathanson?

Which of the following claims could be inferred from Dershowitz's claim that it is far worse on a purely rational basis to shoot and kill a fleeing felon than it is to torture a terror suspect?

Steinbock's argument relies heavily on a premise, according to which nonhuman animals' interests deserve no consideration.

How does Rachels respond to the objection that passive euthanasia is relevantly different than active euthanasia because in cases of passive euthanasia doctors do nothing to cause the death of the patient?

According to Mencius, how do you become virtuous?

Which of the following, according to McMahon, best explains the permissibility of torturing a terrorist in a ticking bomb scenario?

According to Wolf, a physician is not morally obliged to do everything that a patient requests in a course of treatment.

Abbate claims that when a military is attempting to liberate the civilians of another country, soldiers have an obligation to assume special risks to protect them.

Dershowitz argues that whereas formally regulated torture would create a precedent for torture, an "off-the-books" secret system of torture would not.

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

Which of the following best expresses the objection that the use of drones will lower the threshold for going to war?

In your own words, state Dougherty's main conclusion in "Sex, Lies, and Consent" and summarize his main argument for that conclusion.

What role does the claim that no objective distinction can be drawn between core and periphery features of a sexual encounter (where when one is deceived into sex by being misled by core features but not periphery features, one's valid consent is violated) play in this paper?

Which of the following is the best example of a nonhuman person?

According to McMahan, a total legal prohibition of torture both domestically and internationally would significantly prevent its use.

Singer and Nell both offer moral principles and recommendations concerning famine problems. How do those moral principles and recommendations differ? Are they mutually contradictory?

In your own words, explain the criteria for mutually respectful sexual interaction that Estes lays out.

Which of the following does NOT, according to Thompson, follow from the fetus being a person?

Mill's theory of utilitarianism says that an action is right insofar as it promotes the happiness of everyone affected.

Which of the following best explains Kant's principle that you should "act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law"?

Which of the following could we infer from Sinnott-Armstrong's argument that the greenhouse gas emissions from a single joyride will not cause anyone any harm?

Which of the following would be an absurd consequence of "payback" retributivism according to Nathanson?

Which of the following claims could be inferred from Dershowitz's claim that it is far worse on a purely rational basis to shoot and kill a fleeing felon than it is to torture a terror suspect?

Steinbock's argument relies heavily on a premise, according to which nonhuman animals' interests deserve no consideration.

How does Rachels respond to the objection that passive euthanasia is relevantly different than active euthanasia because in cases of passive euthanasia doctors do nothing to cause the death of the patient?

According to Mencius, how do you become virtuous?

Which of the following, according to McMahon, best explains the permissibility of torturing a terrorist in a ticking bomb scenario?

According to Wolf, a physician is not morally obliged to do everything that a patient requests in a course of treatment.

Abbate claims that when a military is attempting to liberate the civilians of another country, soldiers have an obligation to assume special risks to protect them.

Dershowitz argues that whereas formally regulated torture would create a precedent for torture, an "off-the-books" secret system of torture would not.

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