Deck 1: What Is Morality and Moral Reasoning

Question 1

The area of moral philosophy known as "value theory" includes questions such as

A) Is morality objective?
B) What do we owe to each other?
C) What kind of life is most worth living?
D) How do we know which actions are morally right?

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The question "do the ends justify the means?" falls within the area of

A) value theory.
B) normative ethics.
C) metaethics.
D) moral psychology.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The claim that morality is a human invention and therefore not objective is a claim about

A) applied ethics.
B) value theory.
C) normative ethics.
D) metaethics.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Skepticism about morality is

A) a position that no one has ever argued for.
B) nearly universally accepted.
C) nearly universally rejected.
D) deeply controversial.

Question 5

In philosophy, an argument is a(n)

A) formal debate between two parties who disagree.
B) heated confrontation concerning a key philosophical issue.
C) chain of reasoning consisting of a set of reasons that supports some conclusion.
D) objection to a stated philosophical position.

Question 6

It is impossible for a valid argument to have __________ premises and a __________ conclusion.

A) true; false
B) true; true
C) false; false
D) none of the above

Question 7

There is no such thing as a

A) sound argument that is also valid.
B) sound argument that is not valid.
C) valid argument that is also sound.
D) valid argument that is not sound.

Question 8

The conclusion of a sound argument

A) will always be true.
B) will always be false.
C) might be true but also might be false.
D) will always be relevant to the debate at hand.

Question 9

"Conventional morality" is the set of

A) laws of a particular government.
B) principles genuinely believed by a moral agent.
C) traditional principles that are widely shared within a culture or society.
D) true moral principles.

Question 10

Which is not a central concern of morality?

A) protecting people's well-being
B) justice
C) blame
D) legality

Question 11

What do principles of law, etiquette, self-interest, tradition, and morality all have in common?

A) They all represent a set of standards for how we ought to behave.
B) They all are objective.
C) They all are descriptive.
D) all of the above

Question 12

Some moral actions are

A) illegal.
B) impolite.
C) generous.
D) all of the above

Question 13

Which of the following questions falls within the domain of metaethics?

A) What is the status of moral claims and advice?
B) What are our fundamental moral duties?
C) Do the ends always justify the means?
D) What is the good life?

Question 14

Which of the following claims falls within the domain of value theory?

A) Morality is objective.
B) Moral knowledge is impossible.
C) The right thing to do is whatever maximizes happiness.
D) The only thing that matters in order to live well is to get what you want.

Question 15

What area of moral philosophy deals with questions about what our moral obligations are?

A) value theory
B) normative ethics
C) metaethics
D) moral epistemology

Question 16

An argument in philosophy is a

A) set of claims, including a conclusion and reasons given in support of the conclusion.
B) formal debate between competing positions.
C) heated exchange of the sort that is frowned upon by serious philosophers.
D) complex philosophical theory.

Question 17

Which of the following is impossible?

A) a valid argument with a false conclusion
B) a sound argument with a false premise
C) a valid argument that is not sound
D) a sound argument with a true conclusion

Question 18

If we discover that an argument is invalid, what does this tell us about its conclusion?

A) It is true.
B) It is false.
C) It follows from the premises.
D) none of the above

Question 19

What is the best description of the following argument? If the sky is yellow, then grass is pink. The sky is yellow. Therefore, grass is pink.

A) valid and sound
B) valid but unsound
C) invalid but sound
D) invalid and unsound

Question 20

Which of the following is not one of the plausible starting points for moral thinking discussed in the text?

A) Neither the law nor tradition is immune from moral criticism.
B) We are not obligated to do the impossible.
C) The consequences of our actions are the most morally important.
D) Deliberately hurting other people requires justification.

Question 21

Are you satisfied with what the text says about the definition of morality? Why or why not? Can you think of a definition of morality? Do you think your definition successfully captures what morality is?
A good essay will:
Explain and evaluate what the text says about the definition of morality.
Try to think of a definition of morality.
Evaluate the definition you think of.

Question 22

Do you think there are any elements of conventional morality that are mistaken? If so, which ones, and why?

Question 23

Explain and discuss the Divine Perfection Argument. Do you think this argument is sound? Why or why not?

Question 24

Explain and discuss the Argument from Religious Authority. Do you think this argument is sound? Why or why not?

Question 25

Explain and discuss the starting points for moral thinking considered in the chapter. Do you agree that these are all plausible starting points for moral thinking? If not, which ones are not, and why? Can you think of any other plausible starting points not considered in the chapter?