, 76 questions and answers covering key topics from *An Introduction to Moral Philosophy*
by Jonathan Wolff (2nd edition)
1. Q: What is moral philosophy?
- A: Moral philosophy, or ethics, is the study of what is right and wrong, good and bad, and
how individuals should act.
2. Q: How does Wolff distinguish between moral and non-moral values?
- A: Moral values concern principles about how one ought to act regarding others' well-
being, while non-moral values are more about personal preferences and subjective desires.
3. Q: What is the difference between descriptive and normative ethics?
- A: Descriptive ethics describes how people behave or believe, while normative ethics
prescribes how people should act.
4. Q: What is consequentialism?
- A: Consequentialism is the ethical theory that judges actions by their outcomes, stating an
action is right if it leads to the best consequences.
5. Q: Who is a prominent figure associated with utilitarianism?
- A: John Stuart Mill is a prominent figure associated with utilitarianism.
6. Q: Define utilitarianism.
- A: Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism that states the right action is the one that
maximizes overall happiness or pleasure.
7. Q: What is deontology?
- A: Deontology is an ethical theory that argues actions are morally right based on rules and
duties rather than consequences.
8. Q: Who is associated with deontological ethics?
- A: Immanuel Kant is most closely associated with deontological ethics.
by Jonathan Wolff (2nd edition)
1. Q: What is moral philosophy?
- A: Moral philosophy, or ethics, is the study of what is right and wrong, good and bad, and
how individuals should act.
2. Q: How does Wolff distinguish between moral and non-moral values?
- A: Moral values concern principles about how one ought to act regarding others' well-
being, while non-moral values are more about personal preferences and subjective desires.
3. Q: What is the difference between descriptive and normative ethics?
- A: Descriptive ethics describes how people behave or believe, while normative ethics
prescribes how people should act.
4. Q: What is consequentialism?
- A: Consequentialism is the ethical theory that judges actions by their outcomes, stating an
action is right if it leads to the best consequences.
5. Q: Who is a prominent figure associated with utilitarianism?
- A: John Stuart Mill is a prominent figure associated with utilitarianism.
6. Q: Define utilitarianism.
- A: Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism that states the right action is the one that
maximizes overall happiness or pleasure.
7. Q: What is deontology?
- A: Deontology is an ethical theory that argues actions are morally right based on rules and
duties rather than consequences.
8. Q: Who is associated with deontological ethics?
- A: Immanuel Kant is most closely associated with deontological ethics.
