Deck 3: Four Rival Ethical Perspectives

Question 1

Aristotle argues that all human activities aim at some good.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Aristotle argues that ethics is an exact science, just like logic and mathematics.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Aristotle identifies courage as the mean between cowardice and foolhardiness.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Aristotle argues that properly speaking young people cannot be happy.

Question 5

Aristotle argues that moral virtue is implanted in us by nature.

Question 6

Kant argues that a good will is good in virtue of what it brings about in this world-i.e., its aptness for the attainment of a desired and noble end.

Question 7

Kant argues that to be beneficent when we can is a duty.

Question 8

Mill is careful to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures.

Question 9

One objection to Utilitarianism that Mill acknowledges is that the theory requires too much of us-that it requires that we place the general happiness of society on par with our own happiness.

Question 10

What does Aristotle identify as the supreme good of man?

A) Wealth
B) Honor
C) Happiness
D) Faith

Question 11

Aristotle argues that virtue is twofold. What are the two kinds of virtue?

A) Perfect and imperfect
B) Higher and lower
C) Moral and Intellectual
D) Spiritual and material

Question 12

How, on Aristotle's view do we attain virtue?

A) By praying for the gift of virtue.
B) By reading of virtue in literature
C) By performing virtuous acts
D) By attending ethics lecture

Question 13

Kant says that the only thing good in itself is __________.

A) A happy and joyous heart
B) A faithful obedience
C) A rational mind
D) A good will

Question 14

Which of the following is a characteristic of moral maxims, according to Kant's view?

A) They are universally binding.
B) They arise from a prudent heart.
C) They are known through faith.
D) They depend on the cultural norms of one's society.

Question 15

Consider Kant's example about the two tradesmen. Tradesman A is honest to his customers so he can make more money from them later on. Tradesman B is honest to his customers because honesty is a matter of respect. On Kant's view, who has moral worth?

A) Tradesman A
B) Tradesman B
C) Both Tradesmen A and B
D) Neither Tradesman A nor B

Question 16

For Mill, actions are right insofar as __________.

A) They tend to promote happiness
B) They tend to promote good will
C) They tend to promote right action
D) They tend to refrain from pleasure

Question 17

W.D. Ross's moral theory is based on the notion of __________.

A) Happiness
B) Virtue
C) Good will
D) Prima facie duty

Question 18

On what grounds does Ross criticize Utilitarianism?

A) Utilitarianism is a doctrine only worthy of swine.
B) Utilitarianism makes individual rights subservient to the greater good.
C) Utilitarianism fails to do justice to the highly personal character of duty.
D) Ross doesn't criticize Utilitarianism; he is a utilitarian.

Question 19

Explain Aristotle's account of the good life. Do you agree that virtue is a necessary element in the good life?

Question 20

Aristotle argues that virtue is a mean between excess and deficiency. Choose any virtue listed on page 44 of your textbook and analyze that virtue.

Question 21

Consider the following saying: "Watch what you think because your thoughts become actions. Watch your actions because actions become habits. Watch your habits because habits become character. And character becomes the man." In what sense is this an Aristotelian view?

Question 22

Aristotle argues that young people cannot be happy. Explain. What does Aristotle mean by the term "happy". Do an Internet search on Abraham Maslow and self-actualization. Compare and contrast Aristotle's notion of happiness and Maslow's notion of self-actualization.

Question 23

Kant claims that the only thing good in itself is a good will. Explain. Do you agree with this claim?

Question 24

Kant argues that we are never justified in lying, not even to save a friend's life. Do you agree or disagree with Kant's claim?

Question 25

Explain Kant's distinction between perfect and imperfect duties.

Question 26

Explain both formulations of Kant's Categorical Imperative. What do you think is the relation between the two formulations?

Question 27

Explain Mill's Greatest Happiness Principle. How does Mill distinguish this principle the Epicurean doctrine? How does Mill characterize the difference between higher and lower pleasures?

Question 28

Mill claims that the complete spirit of the ethics of utility can be found in the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth-to love one's neighbor as oneself. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?

Question 29

Compare and contrast Mill, Kant and Ross on promise making. Whose view do you think is right?

Question 30

W.D. Ross claims that the moral convictions of thoughtful and well-educated people are the data of ethics. What do you think he means?