PHI2000
Intro to Ethics
LATEST EXAM w/ RATIONALES
2024
,PART A:
1. John is a doctor who works in a hospital that is
running low on ventilators due to a pandemic. He has to
decide which of his two patients, Alice and Bob, should
get the only available ventilator. Alice is 80 years old
and has a terminal illness, while Bob is 40 years old and
has a chronic condition. John knows that Alice has a
lower chance of survival and a lower quality of life than
Bob, but he also respects her autonomy and dignity.
What should John do according to utilitarianism?
a) Give the ventilator to Alice, because she has the right
to choose her own treatment.
b) Give the ventilator to Bob, because he has a higher
utility and a greater potential for happiness.
c) Flip a coin, because both Alice and Bob have equal
moral worth and deserve equal consideration.
d) Consult with Alice and Bob, because they are the best
judges of their own interests and preferences.
Answer: B. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds
that the right action is the one that maximizes utility,
which is usually defined as happiness or well-being.
According to utilitarianism, John should give the
ventilator to Bob, because he has a higher utility and a
greater potential for happiness than Alice, who has a
terminal illness and a lower quality of life. Giving the
ventilator to Alice would not only reduce her utility, but
, also Bob's utility, since he would die without it. Flipping
a coin would be arbitrary and unfair, since it would
ignore the relevant differences between Alice and Bob.
Consulting with Alice and Bob would not necessarily
lead to the best outcome, since they might have irrational
or biased preferences that do not reflect their true utility.
2. Mary is a journalist who works for a reputable
newspaper. She has been investigating a corruption
scandal involving a powerful politician, who is accused
of taking bribes from a foreign company. She has
obtained some confidential documents that prove the
politician's guilt, but she also knows that publishing
them would endanger the lives of some of her sources,
who are whistleblowers from the company. What should
Mary do according to deontology?
a) Publish the documents, because she has a duty to
inform the public and expose the truth.
b) Publish the documents, but protect the identities of her
sources, because she has a duty to both inform the public
and respect their rights.
c) Do not publish the documents, because she has a duty
to protect her sources and prevent harm.
d) Do not publish the documents, but report them to the
authorities, because she has a duty to uphold justice and
the law.
Answer: B. Deontology is an ethical theory that holds
that the right action is the one that conforms to a moral
rule or duty, regardless of the consequences. According
Intro to Ethics
LATEST EXAM w/ RATIONALES
2024
,PART A:
1. John is a doctor who works in a hospital that is
running low on ventilators due to a pandemic. He has to
decide which of his two patients, Alice and Bob, should
get the only available ventilator. Alice is 80 years old
and has a terminal illness, while Bob is 40 years old and
has a chronic condition. John knows that Alice has a
lower chance of survival and a lower quality of life than
Bob, but he also respects her autonomy and dignity.
What should John do according to utilitarianism?
a) Give the ventilator to Alice, because she has the right
to choose her own treatment.
b) Give the ventilator to Bob, because he has a higher
utility and a greater potential for happiness.
c) Flip a coin, because both Alice and Bob have equal
moral worth and deserve equal consideration.
d) Consult with Alice and Bob, because they are the best
judges of their own interests and preferences.
Answer: B. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds
that the right action is the one that maximizes utility,
which is usually defined as happiness or well-being.
According to utilitarianism, John should give the
ventilator to Bob, because he has a higher utility and a
greater potential for happiness than Alice, who has a
terminal illness and a lower quality of life. Giving the
ventilator to Alice would not only reduce her utility, but
, also Bob's utility, since he would die without it. Flipping
a coin would be arbitrary and unfair, since it would
ignore the relevant differences between Alice and Bob.
Consulting with Alice and Bob would not necessarily
lead to the best outcome, since they might have irrational
or biased preferences that do not reflect their true utility.
2. Mary is a journalist who works for a reputable
newspaper. She has been investigating a corruption
scandal involving a powerful politician, who is accused
of taking bribes from a foreign company. She has
obtained some confidential documents that prove the
politician's guilt, but she also knows that publishing
them would endanger the lives of some of her sources,
who are whistleblowers from the company. What should
Mary do according to deontology?
a) Publish the documents, because she has a duty to
inform the public and expose the truth.
b) Publish the documents, but protect the identities of her
sources, because she has a duty to both inform the public
and respect their rights.
c) Do not publish the documents, because she has a duty
to protect her sources and prevent harm.
d) Do not publish the documents, but report them to the
authorities, because she has a duty to uphold justice and
the law.
Answer: B. Deontology is an ethical theory that holds
that the right action is the one that conforms to a moral
rule or duty, regardless of the consequences. According
