Question 1

The primary argument for ethical egoism:

Accepted Answer

A)   depends heavily on psychological egoism
B)   depends heavily on act-utilitarianism
C)   is the argument from selfishness
D)   is the argument from false altruism A

Question 2

A major criticism of ethical egoism is that it:

Accepted Answer

A)   is not consistent with cultural norms
B)   does not maximize utility
C)   is consistent with selfish acts
D)   is not consistent with our considered moral judgments D

Question 3

Ethical egoism is the theory that:

Accepted Answer

A)   selfishness is the whole of morality
B)   the right action is the one that advances one's own best interests
C)   the right action is the one that maximizes pleasure for oneself
D)   the right action is the one that maximizes happiness for everyone concerned B

Question 4

One response that act-utilitarians make to the "no-rest problem" is that:

Accepted Answer

A)   we need not try to maximize utility for literally everyone considered
B)   our moral common sense is never mistaken
C)   we should be willing to perform, as our duty, many actions that are usually considered supererogatory
D)   we have no moral duties at all

Question 5

An important criticism of act-utilitarianism is that it is often inconsistent with our considered judgments about justice.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

John Stuart Mill's conception of happiness is more or less identical to Jeremy Bentham's.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

To achieve happiness,we must pursue other aims,the pursuit of which yields happiness as a by-product.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

An act-utilitarian could conceivably conclude that the killing of one innocent person to save the lives of a thousand other people is a morally acceptable action.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which two philosophers are generally credited with developing the theory of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

A)   René Descartes and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
B)   Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
C)   Immanuel Kant and G. W. F. Hegel
D)   David Hume and Adam Smith

Question 10

Critics charge that act-utilitarianism's most serious problem is that it conflicts with commonsense views about:

Accepted Answer

A)   love
B)   utility
C)   justice
D)   happiness

Question 11

Act-utilitarianism fails Criterion 2 (consistency with our moral experience).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

What matters most in act-utilitarianism is how much net happiness comes directly from performing an action,as opposed to following a rule that applies to such actions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Utilitarianism incorporates the principle of impartiality.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

An ethical egoist does whatever she desires to do or whatever gives her the most immediate pleasure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

A major problem with utilitarianism is that it does not promote human welfare.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Psychological egoism is a scientific theory,not a moral theory.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Critics of rule-utilitarianism say that:

Accepted Answer

A)   its rules are too demanding
B)   it collapses into act-utilitarianism
C)   it is no different than Kantian ethics
D)   rules cannot be formulated

Question 18

Self-interest is a pillar on which the economic system of capitalism is built.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Act-utilitarianism is the theory that:

Accepted Answer

A)   the morally right action is the one covered by a rule that, if generally followed, would produce the most favorable balance of good over evil, everyone considered
B)   right actions are those that directly produce the greatest overall good, everyone considered
C)   right actions are those that advance one's own best interests
D)   right actions are those that conform to our moral intuitions

Question 20

Utilitarianism reminds us that the consequences of our actions do indeed make a difference in our moral deliberations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 5: Consequentialist Theories: Maximize the Good

The primary argument for ethical egoism:

A major criticism of ethical egoism is that it:

Ethical egoism is the theory that:

One response that act-utilitarians make to the "no-rest problem" is that:

An important criticism of act-utilitarianism is that it is often inconsistent with our considered judgments about justice.

John Stuart Mill's conception of happiness is more or less identical to Jeremy Bentham's.

To achieve happiness,we must pursue other aims,the pursuit of which yields happiness as a by-product.

An act-utilitarian could conceivably conclude that the killing of one innocent person to save the lives of a thousand other people is a morally acceptable action.

Which two philosophers are generally credited with developing the theory of utilitarianism?

Critics charge that act-utilitarianism's most serious problem is that it conflicts with commonsense views about:

Act-utilitarianism fails Criterion 2 (consistency with our moral experience).

What matters most in act-utilitarianism is how much net happiness comes directly from performing an action,as opposed to following a rule that applies to such actions.

Utilitarianism incorporates the principle of impartiality.

An ethical egoist does whatever she desires to do or whatever gives her the most immediate pleasure.

A major problem with utilitarianism is that it does not promote human welfare.

Psychological egoism is a scientific theory,not a moral theory.

Critics of rule-utilitarianism say that:

Self-interest is a pillar on which the economic system of capitalism is built.

Act-utilitarianism is the theory that:

Utilitarianism reminds us that the consequences of our actions do indeed make a difference in our moral deliberations.