WGU D333 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL 2026/2027 | Ethics in
Technology | Grade A Verified Questions & Answers |
Comprehensive Review | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Core Ethical Theories & Moral Reasoning (Q1-15)]
Q1. A software engineer must choose between releasing a bug fix that helps millions of
users or delaying to perfect it for a smaller group. Applying Bentham's hedonic calculus,
which action is most ethical?
A. Delay release to ensure perfect quality for all
B. Release immediately to maximize total pleasure/happiness for the greatest number
[CORRECT]
C. Consider only personal career advancement
D. Follow company policy regardless of outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Release immediately to maximize total pleasure/happiness for the
greatest number [CORRECT]
Rationale: Bentham's utilitarianism seeks the greatest happiness for the greatest
number, favoring immediate widespread benefit. Delaying perfection prioritizes
narrower interests, egoism ignores aggregate utility, and blind policy adherence
neglects outcome calculation.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. Which ethical framework evaluates actions based on the intrinsic rightness of
actions rather than consequences?
A. Consequentialism
B. Deontology [CORRECT]
C. Egoism
D. Utilitarianism
,Correct Answer: B. Deontology [CORRECT]
Rationale: Deontology, particularly Kant's ethics, judges actions by adherence to moral
duties and rules independent of outcomes. Consequentialism, egoism, and
utilitarianism all evaluate actions based on results or self-interest.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. Kant's Categorical Imperative requires that moral maxims be:
A. Based on personal happiness
B. Universally applicable without contradiction [CORRECT]
C. Determined by majority vote
D. Flexible to situational context
Correct Answer: B. Universally applicable without contradiction [CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's universality formulation requires that one act only according to
maxims one can will as universal law. Personal happiness, majority rule, and situational
flexibility are not Kantian requirements.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. According to Kant's second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, treating
people merely as means rather than ends is:
A. Permissible if it produces greater overall utility
B. Always morally wrong [CORRECT]
C. Acceptable in business negotiations
D. Required in military operations
Correct Answer: B. Always morally wrong [CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's humanity formulation prohibits treating persons solely as instruments,
requiring respect for rational nature as an end in itself. Utilitarian trade-offs, business
pragmatism, and military necessity do not override this absolute duty.
,Correct Answer: B
Q5. W.D. Ross identified several prima facie duties including fidelity, reparation,
gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-maleficence. When these
duties conflict, one must determine:
A. Which duty is legally required
B. Which duty is strongest in the particular situation [CORRECT]
C. Which duty produces the most profit
D. Which duty is easiest to fulfill
Correct Answer: B. Which duty is strongest in the particular situation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Ross's pluralistic deontology holds that when prima facie duties conflict, one
must weigh which duty is most binding in the specific context. Legal requirements,
profit, and ease are not Ross's criteria.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Aristotle's virtue ethics emphasizes finding the mean between excess and
deficiency. For the virtue of courage, the mean lies between:
A. Cowardice and recklessness [CORRECT]
B. Humility and arrogance
C. Stinginess and extravagance
D. Apathy and rage
Correct Answer: A. Cowardice and recklessness [CORRECT]
Rationale: Aristotle's golden mean for courage is between cowardice (deficiency) and
recklessness (excess). Humility/arrogance relate to pride, stinginess/extravagance to
generosity, and apathy/rage to temperance.
Correct Answer: A
Q7. In Aristotelian virtue ethics, the capacity to discern the right action in specific
circumstances is called:
A. Hedonic calculus
, B. Practical wisdom (phronesis) [CORRECT]
C. Universal maxim
D. Veil of ignorance
Correct Answer: B. Practical wisdom (phronesis) [CORRECT]
Rationale: Phronesis is the intellectual virtue enabling moral perception and contextual
judgment. Hedonic calculus is Bentham's, universal maxims are Kant's, and the veil of
ignorance is Rawls's.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Hobbes argued that in the state of nature, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish,
and short," necessitating:
A. A benevolent anarchist society
B. A Leviathan or strong sovereign to maintain order [CORRECT]
C. Direct democracy without representatives
D. Complete isolation of individuals
Correct Answer: B. A Leviathan or strong sovereign to maintain order [CORRECT]
Rationale: Hobbes's social contract requires individuals to surrender natural rights to an
absolute sovereign to escape the war of all against all. Anarchism, direct democracy,
and isolation contradict Hobbes's solution.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. Locke's social contract theory differs from Hobbes primarily because Locke:
A. Advocates for absolute monarchy
B. Argues that natural rights (life, liberty, property) are inalienable and government must
protect them [CORRECT]
C. Believes the state of nature is a state of war
D. Rejects the right of revolution
Technology | Grade A Verified Questions & Answers |
Comprehensive Review | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Core Ethical Theories & Moral Reasoning (Q1-15)]
Q1. A software engineer must choose between releasing a bug fix that helps millions of
users or delaying to perfect it for a smaller group. Applying Bentham's hedonic calculus,
which action is most ethical?
A. Delay release to ensure perfect quality for all
B. Release immediately to maximize total pleasure/happiness for the greatest number
[CORRECT]
C. Consider only personal career advancement
D. Follow company policy regardless of outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Release immediately to maximize total pleasure/happiness for the
greatest number [CORRECT]
Rationale: Bentham's utilitarianism seeks the greatest happiness for the greatest
number, favoring immediate widespread benefit. Delaying perfection prioritizes
narrower interests, egoism ignores aggregate utility, and blind policy adherence
neglects outcome calculation.
Correct Answer: B
Q2. Which ethical framework evaluates actions based on the intrinsic rightness of
actions rather than consequences?
A. Consequentialism
B. Deontology [CORRECT]
C. Egoism
D. Utilitarianism
,Correct Answer: B. Deontology [CORRECT]
Rationale: Deontology, particularly Kant's ethics, judges actions by adherence to moral
duties and rules independent of outcomes. Consequentialism, egoism, and
utilitarianism all evaluate actions based on results or self-interest.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. Kant's Categorical Imperative requires that moral maxims be:
A. Based on personal happiness
B. Universally applicable without contradiction [CORRECT]
C. Determined by majority vote
D. Flexible to situational context
Correct Answer: B. Universally applicable without contradiction [CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's universality formulation requires that one act only according to
maxims one can will as universal law. Personal happiness, majority rule, and situational
flexibility are not Kantian requirements.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. According to Kant's second formulation of the Categorical Imperative, treating
people merely as means rather than ends is:
A. Permissible if it produces greater overall utility
B. Always morally wrong [CORRECT]
C. Acceptable in business negotiations
D. Required in military operations
Correct Answer: B. Always morally wrong [CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's humanity formulation prohibits treating persons solely as instruments,
requiring respect for rational nature as an end in itself. Utilitarian trade-offs, business
pragmatism, and military necessity do not override this absolute duty.
,Correct Answer: B
Q5. W.D. Ross identified several prima facie duties including fidelity, reparation,
gratitude, justice, beneficence, self-improvement, and non-maleficence. When these
duties conflict, one must determine:
A. Which duty is legally required
B. Which duty is strongest in the particular situation [CORRECT]
C. Which duty produces the most profit
D. Which duty is easiest to fulfill
Correct Answer: B. Which duty is strongest in the particular situation [CORRECT]
Rationale: Ross's pluralistic deontology holds that when prima facie duties conflict, one
must weigh which duty is most binding in the specific context. Legal requirements,
profit, and ease are not Ross's criteria.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. Aristotle's virtue ethics emphasizes finding the mean between excess and
deficiency. For the virtue of courage, the mean lies between:
A. Cowardice and recklessness [CORRECT]
B. Humility and arrogance
C. Stinginess and extravagance
D. Apathy and rage
Correct Answer: A. Cowardice and recklessness [CORRECT]
Rationale: Aristotle's golden mean for courage is between cowardice (deficiency) and
recklessness (excess). Humility/arrogance relate to pride, stinginess/extravagance to
generosity, and apathy/rage to temperance.
Correct Answer: A
Q7. In Aristotelian virtue ethics, the capacity to discern the right action in specific
circumstances is called:
A. Hedonic calculus
, B. Practical wisdom (phronesis) [CORRECT]
C. Universal maxim
D. Veil of ignorance
Correct Answer: B. Practical wisdom (phronesis) [CORRECT]
Rationale: Phronesis is the intellectual virtue enabling moral perception and contextual
judgment. Hedonic calculus is Bentham's, universal maxims are Kant's, and the veil of
ignorance is Rawls's.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Hobbes argued that in the state of nature, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish,
and short," necessitating:
A. A benevolent anarchist society
B. A Leviathan or strong sovereign to maintain order [CORRECT]
C. Direct democracy without representatives
D. Complete isolation of individuals
Correct Answer: B. A Leviathan or strong sovereign to maintain order [CORRECT]
Rationale: Hobbes's social contract requires individuals to surrender natural rights to an
absolute sovereign to escape the war of all against all. Anarchism, direct democracy,
and isolation contradict Hobbes's solution.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. Locke's social contract theory differs from Hobbes primarily because Locke:
A. Advocates for absolute monarchy
B. Argues that natural rights (life, liberty, property) are inalienable and government must
protect them [CORRECT]
C. Believes the state of nature is a state of war
D. Rejects the right of revolution
