Question 1

Explain the general idea of the naturalistic fallacy and how it relates to utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the general idea of the naturalistic...

Question 2

Utilitarianism might allow for using human suffering as a means of entertainment if the happiness produced outweighs the suffering.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The philosopher Epicurus was the godfather of John Stuart Mill.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Niccolò Machiavelli's theory that if the end is to maintain political power for oneself, one's king, or one's political party, that will justify any means one might use for that purpose, such as force, surveillance, or even deceit, is both a consequentialist as well as a utilitarian theory.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

One of the reasons for Jeremy Bentham donating his body to medical research was to put a stop to body snatching.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The harm principle states that adult persons should not be interfered with, unless they are doing harm to others or themselves.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

There seem to have been several factors at play in young John Stuart Mill's breakdown, other than his own insistence that he was disappointed with Jeremy Bentham's utilitarian theory. Which one is NOT discussed in the text?

Accepted Answer

A)  He was overworked. 
B)  He was lonely and depressed. 
C)  He felt guilty for being in love with a married woman. 
D)  He was an intellectual in a feeling-oriented age.

Question 8

In the movie Purge, on a specific date every year, all violence is allowed. The (supposed) benefit from the orgy of violence is that for the other 364 days of the year, life is peaceful and productive with no violent crimes. The majority benefits through the painful, terrifying deaths of a minority of the population. Discuss whether the killing of a few people under ritual circumstances provides benefits. Even if it somehow did, would it be the right thing to do?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the movie Purge, on a specific...

Question 9

Do you think that people who lie more often see themselves as lying for selfish reasons or utilitarian reasons? Can a person's reasons for lying be both selfish and utilitarian at the same time?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you think that people who lie...

Question 10

In the film Extreme Measures, is Dr. Myrick's experimentation a noble quest in order to help humanity or a perverse abuse of human beings? Is there a third alternative? Explain your position.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the film Extreme Measures, is Dr....

Question 11

According to John Stuart Mill, how can we make a decision without knowing the consequences? Explain and discuss.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to John Stuart Mill, how can...

Question 12

What is the difference between intrinsic and instrumental reasoning? Give an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between intrinsic and...

Question 13

Instrumental value refers to valuing something in itself without regard to what it might bring of further value.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

In The Blacksmith and the Baker, an innocent baker is being executed for the crime of the blacksmith.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of the following is a statement by John Stuart Mill?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure." 
B)  "It is in vain to talk of the interest of the community, without understanding what is the interest of the individual." 
C)  "A being of higher faculties requires more to make him happy, is capable probably of more acute suffering, and certainly accessible to it at more points, than one of an inferior type." 
D)  "The said truth is that it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong."

Question 16

Discuss the permissibility of torture with respect to the utilitarian approach. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the permissibility of torture with respect...

Question 17

René Descartes argued that animals cannot feel pain, because they have no mind.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Evaluate Descartes's theory that only those beings with minds can suffer, and only human beings have minds. Explore the possible consequences for a moral theory if we agree that animals, including human beings, have the capacity for suffering.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evaluate Descartes's theory that only those beings...

Question 19

John Stuart Mill believed that whole populations could not be trusted to govern themselves because they were not sufficiently mature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 5: Using Your Reason, Part 1: Utilitarianism

Explain the general idea of the naturalistic fallacy and how it relates to utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism might allow for using human suffering as a means of entertainment if the happiness produced outweighs the suffering.

The philosopher Epicurus was the godfather of John Stuart Mill.

Niccolò Machiavelli's theory that if the end is to maintain political power for oneself, one's king, or one's political party, that will justify any means one might use for that purpose, such as force, surveillance, or even deceit, is both a consequentialist as well as a utilitarian theory.

One of the reasons for Jeremy Bentham donating his body to medical research was to put a stop to body snatching.

The harm principle states that adult persons should not be interfered with, unless they are doing harm to others or themselves.

There seem to have been several factors at play in young John Stuart Mill's breakdown, other than his own insistence that he was disappointed with Jeremy Bentham's utilitarian theory. Which one is NOT discussed in the text?

Do you think that people who lie more often see themselves as lying for selfish reasons or utilitarian reasons? Can a person's reasons for lying be both selfish and utilitarian at the same time?

In the film Extreme Measures, is Dr. Myrick's experimentation a noble quest in order to help humanity or a perverse abuse of human beings? Is there a third alternative? Explain your position.

According to John Stuart Mill, how can we make a decision without knowing the consequences? Explain and discuss.

What is the difference between intrinsic and instrumental reasoning? Give an example.

Instrumental value refers to valuing something in itself without regard to what it might bring of further value.

In The Blacksmith and the Baker, an innocent baker is being executed for the crime of the blacksmith.

Which of the following is a statement by John Stuart Mill?

Discuss the permissibility of torture with respect to the utilitarian approach. Do you agree? Why or why not?

René Descartes argued that animals cannot feel pain, because they have no mind.

Evaluate Descartes's theory that only those beings with minds can suffer, and only human beings have minds. Explore the possible consequences for a moral theory if we agree that animals, including human beings, have the capacity for suffering.

John Stuart Mill believed that whole populations could not be trusted to govern themselves because they were not sufficiently mature.