Deck 3: Skepticism and Subjectivism

Question 1

Phil and Mickie disagree about the merits of jazz-fusion music.Phil points to the boundary-stretching possibilities of including electric instruments in advancing improvisation.Mickie counters with the loss of "dance-ability" present in big band/swing jazz.Their discussion of jazz music can best be understood to encapsulate the (nonmoral)application of which theory?

A) individual subjectivism
B) emotivism
C) nihilism
D) error theory

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In order to be a moral nihilist,one must be an egoist.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

By which of the following indicators can a thick moral concept be distinguished from a thin concept?

A) Thin concepts are based upon nihilism.
B) Thick concepts rely upon past experience with outcomes.
C) Thin concepts are at a lower level of moral development.
D) Thick concepts have descriptive as well as expressive content.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Cognitivist understandings of moral propositions differ from noncognitivist understandings in which of the following ways?

A) Cognitivism expresses information about beliefs,while noncognitivism expresses information about preferences.
B) Cognitivism expresses information about agent tastes,while noncognitivism expresses information about the world.
C) Cognitivism expresses information about easily discernable attributes,while noncognitivism expresses information that is more difficult to discern.
D) According to the author,there is no difference between the terms.

Question 5

In July 1776,American colonists revolting against the British monarchy pulled down and beheaded a statue of King George III.This mass action could be understood as an instance of which of the following understandings of morality?

A) emotivism
B) nihilism
C) egoism
D) objectivism

Question 6

For what error is "error theory" named?

A) It is an error to believe that we can understand moral facts.
B) It is an error to believe that there are objective moral values.
C) It is an error to hold that some actions are better than others.
D) It is an error to separate morality from power relations.

Question 7

The interpretation of Nietzsche presented here is compatible with moral nihilism.

Question 8

The variety of moral thinking,which holds that ethical stances can hold true for one person but false for another,is best understood as which of the following?

A) ethical egoism
B) individual subjectivism
C) cultural relativism
D) nihilism

Question 9

According to Ayer,under expressivist understandings of morality,moral disagreements can be best understood as which of the following?

A) an attempt to understand the other's beliefs
B) the repetition of one's point over and over
C) the rejection of preexisting moral standards
D) an invitation to share in one's beliefs

Question 10

According to the interpretation advanced in the chapter,Nietzsche's desire to get "beyond good and evil" is best understood as which of the following?

A) replacing "good and evil" with "stronger and weaker"
B) abolishing the notions of "good and evil"
C) replacing "good and evil" with "good and bad"
D) establishing different "good and evil" standards in different cultures

Question 11

In 2015,a Connecticut bank executive was kidnapped from his house,had a bomb strapped to him,and was told that if he did not empty the vault at his bank the bomb would explode.(This case is reminiscent of a 2003 case in Pennsylvania. )Briefly discuss if he should be held morally responsible for the theft and how,if at all,this case differs from deterministic understandings of morality.

Question 12

Media accounts of the 1979 trial of Dan White for murdering Harvey Milk and George Moscone brought the term Twinkie Defense to public consciousness.Twinkies were not actually mentioned in the courtroom,but White's attorneys did successfully argue that White had diminished mental capacities at the time of the murders.Briefly discuss if someone should be held morally responsible for actions taken when his or her mental processes are hindered by biochemical interferences.

Question 13

Frankfurt's example of Black and Jones provides an interesting question for those confronting determinism.Briefly discuss whether Jones ought to be held responsible for his actions.

Question 14

Nietzsche's critique of Christian morality is explained in the chapter as based upon which of the following?

A) Christian theology is evil.
B) The virtues of Christianity are no longer timely.
C) Christianity is based upon a false belief in a historical Jesus.
D) Christian morality is a reversal from the message of a historical Jesus.

Question 15

One way of understanding human bodies is that we are electrical-chemical machines made out of meat,bones,and skin.Just like any other machine,our meat machines act in particular ways depending upon the input provided.Briefly describe the difficulties this understanding presents in considering agent causation.

Question 16

Although Janis and Joni may disagree about their tastes in movies,their mutual belief that it is worth attempting to resolve the disagreement through discussion points to which of the following beliefs?

A) Metaphysics is informed by epistemology.
B) Emotivism is independent from utilitarianism.
C) Subjectivism rests on objectivism.
D) Nihilism rests on egoism.

Question 17

Many religions have a belief in an omniscient-or all-knowing-deity.Discuss how this belief impacts the possibility of agent causation.