Deck 3: Egoism

Question 1

All of the following are used to evaluate ethical egoism except

A) Grounding in Psychological egoism.
B) Consistency and coherence.
C) Conformity to commonsense morality.
D) Effectiveness in satisfying individual interest.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

For psychological egoism to be valid, we must show people

A) Act with an aim of achieving self-satisfaction.
B) Get self-satisfaction from their actions.
C) Use others in selfish ways.
D) Need to make other people happy

Answer 2

A

Question 3

According to individual ethical egoism one should

A) Ignore the needs of others
B) Help others to help themselves
C) Do what is in one's self interest
D) Do what makes one happy at the moment

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Is ethical egoism contrary to commonsense morality?

Question 5

The view that everyone ought to take care of him or herself because this would work to the benefit of all is not egoism but a form of utilitarianism.

Question 6

The motivational form of psychological egoism asserts that we always try do what we think is in our own best interest.

Question 7

To say that something is a normative theory is to say that it tells us what we ought to do.

Question 8

Psychological egoism is a theory that holds that we each ought to do what is in our own best interest.

Question 9

Psychological egoism is a descriptive theory and ethical egoism is a normative theory.

Question 10

Which of the following is not an example of ethical egoism?

A) We should treat others well because we want to be treated well in return.
B) We should treat others well so they will treat others well.
C) We should work hard because a "job well done is its own reward."
D) We should work hard because doing so is a good model for our children.

Question 11

Why did Falk not think that a person who was taught that she should not lie because if she did others would not trust her would not have been given a moral reason?

Question 12

What does Glaucon want to demonstrate by giving two people rings?

A) Even "good" people will do evil if they can act without consequence.
B) The people have a deep bond with each other.
C) The people are children of the king.
D) People can be trusted with great power.

Question 13

In the story questioning Lincoln's ability to be selfless, Lincoln

A) Talked to the family of a fallen soldier.
B) Rescued a pig.
C) Entered the fight about Texas' right to become a slave state.
D) Ignored a person in need.

Question 14

According to psychological egoism people

A) Act in ways that are harmful to them.
B) Often act against their own self interests.
C) Act in the way they perceive to be best for them.
D) Act out of deep subconscious needs.

Question 15

The most reasonable form of psychological egoism holds that we always do what is in our own best interest.

Question 16

According to W. D. Falk, one would be given a good moral education if one were taught to be prudent.

Question 17

The story of Mr. Lincoln was supposed to illustrate the truth of ethical egoism.

Question 18

The counsels in Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac were examples of how practicing certain virtues was in a person's own best interest.

Question 19

The ring of Gyges can best be described as which of the following?

A) A ring of inheritance indicating royalty.
B) A ring that represents a committed romance.
C) A ring that cam make the wearer invisible.
D) A geological formation in ancient Greece