Question 1

A problem with the No Certainty Argument is that

Accepted Answer

A)  it sets the bar for knowledge too high. 
B)  it is invalid. 
C)  it is uncontroversial. 
D)  the premises are redundant. 
A)  it sets the bar for knowledge too high. 
B)  it is invalid. 
C)  it is uncontroversial. 
D)  the premises are redundant.

Question 2

How can the ethical objectivist respond to the motivational argument?

Accepted Answer

A)  By arguing that moral judgments alone aren't able to motivate us 
B)  By arguing that beliefs alone are able to motivate us 
C)  Both of the above 
D)  None of the above 
A)  By arguing that moral judgments alone aren't able to motivate us 
B)  By arguing that beliefs alone are able to motivate us 
C)  Both of the above 
D)  None of the above

Question 3

If ethical objectivism is true, which of the following must be true?

Accepted Answer

A)  We are permitted to force our moral views onto other people. 
B)  It is OK to be dogmatic about one's moral views. 
C)  Not all truths are subjective. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  We are permitted to force our moral views onto other people. 
B)  It is OK to be dogmatic about one's moral views. 
C)  Not all truths are subjective. 
D)  All of the above

Question 4

Explain the Argument from Authority. How can the notion of "moral authority" be interpreted? Does everyone lack moral authority? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The Argument from Authority is a logical

Question 5

What three types of theory exhaust all the possible views of the status of ethics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nihilism, relativism, and objectivism 
B)  Skepticism, dogmatism, and quietism 
C)  Monism, pluralism, and particularism 
D)  Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and contractarianism 
A)  Nihilism, relativism, and objectivism 
B)  Skepticism, dogmatism, and quietism 
C)  Monism, pluralism, and particularism 
D)  Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and contractarianism

Question 6

The claim that there are no objective truths

Accepted Answer

A)  has been well confirmed by social science. 
B)  is so deep that we cannot say whether it is true or false. 
C)  cannot possibly be true. 
D)  cannot possibly be false. 
A)  has been well confirmed by social science. 
B)  is so deep that we cannot say whether it is true or false. 
C)  cannot possibly be true. 
D)  cannot possibly be false.

Question 7

According to the text, if tolerance is valuable, then

Accepted Answer

A)  this supports ethical objectivism. 
B)  this supports cultural relativism. 
C)  this supports ethical subjectivism. 
D)  this supports expressivism. 
A)  this supports ethical objectivism. 
B)  this supports cultural relativism. 
C)  this supports ethical subjectivism. 
D)  this supports expressivism.

Question 8

What is the relationship between ethical objectivism and ethical absolutism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ethical objectivism requires ethical absolutism. 
B)  Ethical objectivism is consistent with, but does not require, ethical absolutism. 
C)  Ethical objectivism is inconsistent with ethical absolutism. 
D)  If ethical absolutism is false, then so is ethical objectivism. 
A)  Ethical objectivism requires ethical absolutism. 
B)  Ethical objectivism is consistent with, but does not require, ethical absolutism. 
C)  Ethical objectivism is inconsistent with ethical absolutism. 
D)  If ethical absolutism is false, then so is ethical objectivism.

Question 9

If ethical objectivism is true, then

Accepted Answer

A)  the application of basic moral principles must be identical in all cultures and societies. 
B)  the application of basic moral principles might vary among different cultures and societies. 
C)  cultures and societies determine which basic moral principles are true. 
D)  None of the above 
A)  the application of basic moral principles must be identical in all cultures and societies. 
B)  the application of basic moral principles might vary among different cultures and societies. 
C)  cultures and societies determine which basic moral principles are true. 
D)  None of the above

Question 10

According to the text, we have reason to doubt whether someone's belief amounts to knowledge when the belief

Accepted Answer

A)  is due entirely to parental, cultural or evolutionary influences, and not at all to attentive reflection. 
B)  is due in any part to parental, cultural, or evolutionary influences. 
C)  is due to attentive reflection. 
D)  Both a and b 
A)  is due entirely to parental, cultural or evolutionary influences, and not at all to attentive reflection. 
B)  is due in any part to parental, cultural, or evolutionary influences. 
C)  is due to attentive reflection. 
D)  Both a and b

Question 11

What kind of reasons is the objectivity of morality often thought to require?

Accepted Answer

A)  Categorical reasons 
B)  Hypothetical reasons 
C)  Prudential reasons 
D)  Theoretical reasons 
A)  Categorical reasons 
B)  Hypothetical reasons 
C)  Prudential reasons 
D)  Theoretical reasons

Question 12

According to the text, which of the following does ethical objectivism support?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ethical absolutism 
B)  Ethical nihilism 
C)  Tolerance 
D)  Dogmatism 
A)  Ethical absolutism 
B)  Ethical nihilism 
C)  Tolerance 
D)  Dogmatism

Question 13

A conceptual truth is one that has which of the following features?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is a necessary truth. 
B)  It is true just in virtue of its meaning. 
C)  It can be known just by understanding it. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  It is a necessary truth. 
B)  It is true just in virtue of its meaning. 
C)  It can be known just by understanding it. 
D)  All of the above

Question 14

According to the text, you can have moral knowledge

Accepted Answer

A)  even if you are not a designated moral authority. 
B)  even if you are not the author of morality. 
C)  only if you are a moral authority. 
D)  Both a and b 
A)  even if you are not a designated moral authority. 
B)  even if you are not the author of morality. 
C)  only if you are a moral authority. 
D)  Both a and b

Question 15

What is the key assumption behind the claim that atheism is incompatible with ethical objectivism?

Accepted Answer

A)  God created absolutely everything. 
B)  All laws require a lawmaker. 
C)  Atheists are guaranteed to act immorally. 
D)  Religion is most people's only motivation for acting morally. 
A)  God created absolutely everything. 
B)  All laws require a lawmaker. 
C)  Atheists are guaranteed to act immorally. 
D)  Religion is most people's only motivation for acting morally.

Question 16

According to the Argument from Irrelevant Influences, which of the following influences over our beliefs are irrelevant?

Accepted Answer

A)  parents 
B)  culture 
C)  evolution 
D)  All of the above 
A)  parents 
B)  culture 
C)  evolution 
D)  All of the above

Question 17

Which skeptical argument do you find to be the most persuasive? Describe at least one objection to the argument. In light of the objection, do you find the argument to be compelling overall? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The skeptical argument that I find to be

Question 18

Explain the skeptical argument from disagreement. How can the premises in the argument be defended? Which premise do you take to be the weakest, and why? Do you find the argument to be compelling overall? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The skeptical argument from disagreement

Question 19

What is a categorical reason? Does morality require the existence of categorical reasons? Do categorical reasons actually exist? Defend your answers.

Accepted Answer

A categorical reason is a reason for act

Question 20

The argument from categorical reasons claims that

Accepted Answer

A)  there are no reasons that apply to us regardless of what we care about. 
B)  ethical objectivism does not imply that there are categorical reasons. 
C)  categorical reasons apply to us only if we care about them. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  there are no reasons that apply to us regardless of what we care about. 
B)  ethical objectivism does not imply that there are categorical reasons. 
C)  categorical reasons apply to us only if we care about them. 
D)  All of the above

Exam 21: Eleven Arguments Against Moral Objectivity

A problem with the No Certainty Argument is that

How can the ethical objectivist respond to the motivational argument?

If ethical objectivism is true, which of the following must be true?

Explain the Argument from Authority. How can the notion of "moral authority" be interpreted? Does everyone lack moral authority? Why or why not?

What three types of theory exhaust all the possible views of the status of ethics?

The claim that there are no objective truths

According to the text, if tolerance is valuable, then

What is the relationship between ethical objectivism and ethical absolutism?

If ethical objectivism is true, then

According to the text, we have reason to doubt whether someone's belief amounts to knowledge when the belief

What kind of reasons is the objectivity of morality often thought to require?

According to the text, which of the following does ethical objectivism support?

A conceptual truth is one that has which of the following features?

According to the text, you can have moral knowledge

What is the key assumption behind the claim that atheism is incompatible with ethical objectivism?

According to the Argument from Irrelevant Influences, which of the following influences over our beliefs are irrelevant?

Which skeptical argument do you find to be the most persuasive? Describe at least one objection to the argument. In light of the objection, do you find the argument to be compelling overall? Why or why not?

Explain the skeptical argument from disagreement. How can the premises in the argument be defended? Which premise do you take to be the weakest, and why? Do you find the argument to be compelling overall? Why or why not?

What is a categorical reason? Does morality require the existence of categorical reasons? Do categorical reasons actually exist? Defend your answers.

The argument from categorical reasons claims that

Hedonism: Its Powerful Appeal

Is Happiness All That Matters

Getting What You Want

Problems for the Desire Theory

Morality and Religion

Natural Law

Psychological Egoism

Ethical Egoism

Consequentialism: Its Nature and Attractions

Consequentialism: Its Difficulties

The Kantian Perspective: Fairness and Justice

The Kantian Perspective: Autonomy, Free Will, and Respect

The Social Contract Tradition: the Theory and Its Attractions

The Social Contract Tradition: Problems and Prospects

Ethical Pluralism and Absolute Moral Rules

Ethical Pluralism: Prima Facie Duties and Ethical Particularism

Virtue Ethics

Feminist Ethics

Ethical Relativism

Moral Nihilism

Filters