Deck 9: Theories and Models in Ethics

Question 1

Ethics is most concerned with which area of philosophical inquiry?

A) Ontology
B) Epistemology
C) Axiology
D) Metaphysics

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which statement most accurately describes the relationship between ethics and morals?

A) "Morals involve philosophical consideration of what is good and bad, whereas ethics involves incorporating moral principles into one's activities of daily life."
B) "Ethics is a systematic approach to understanding matters of right and wrong, whereas morals are specific beliefs derived from doing ethics."
C) "There is no difference between ethics and morals; the two terms can always be used interchangeably."
D) "Ethics are standards of right and wrong as determined by society, whereas morals are standards of right and wrong as determined by a particular individual."

Answer 2

B

Question 3

According to Russell (1945), philosophy is an intermediate discipline between:

A) theology and ethics.
B) ethics and science.
C) science and theology.
D) morals and ethics.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

"Common morality" is best defined as:

A) normative beliefs and behaviors about which the members of a society generally agree.
B) a moral stance that is shared by two or more individuals.
C) any moral principle that is embraced by two or more theories of ethics.
D) a description of the primary patterns of ethical behavior exhibited by members of a specific subculture.

Question 5

"Dennis is engaging in Behavior X. A majority of philosophers argue that Behavior X is unethical. Therefore, Dennis is acting unethically and should cease Behavior X." This statement reflects the pitfall in moral reasoning known as the:

A) theory/situation gap.
B) is/ought gap.
C) descriptive/normative gap.
D) are/were gap.

Question 6

A(n) _________ theory of nursing is one that is invented for a purpose, includes specific goal content, is prescriptive in nature, and includes a list of aspects of related activity.

A) situation-producing
B) intrinsic
C) extrinsic
D) description-producing

Question 7

Which statement most closely reflects Beckstrand's assertions about nursing practice?

A) "Nurses require moral theories that are both explanatory and prescriptive; not only do they need to know what is good, but they also need to know how to apply these ideas of goodness in everyday practice."
B) "Nurses must develop their own unique practice theories by asking what needs to be accomplished, how it will be accomplished, and in what context it will be done."
C) "A good nursing practice theory is marked by the traits of clarity, coherence, comprehensiveness, simplicity, explanatory power, justificatory power, output power, and practicability."
D) "Nurses don't need a practice theory at all. Instead, they must have access to scientific and ethical theories, because all of the knowledge they need is reducible to these two fields."

Question 8

Aquinas's natural law theory is best classified as a:

A) rights-based theory.
B) rule-based theory.
C) consequentialist theory.
D) communitarian theory.

Question 9

Which statement most accurately reflects Kant's view of ethics and morality?

A) "An action is ethical if it attempts to promote the greatest good and inflict the least harm that is possible in a situation."
B) "A person is acting ethically as long as he or she is not violating the rights of others."
C) "Each rational being is ethically bound or obligated to act first and foremost from a sense of duty. Indeed, only dutiful actions have moral worth."
D) "Everything fundamental in ethics derives from communal values, social goals, and traditional practices."

Question 10

"Although seat belt laws may limit some people's individual liberties, they are nonetheless ethical because they ultimately protect all members of society from injury and higher auto insurance costs." This statement is rooted in which ethical theory?

A) Utilitarianism
B) Communitarianism
C) Deontology
D) Rights theory