RLGN 104 Exam Questions with Correct Answers Graded A+
Relativism - Answers right and wrong are relative to one's culture, social group, or personal perspective;
no moral absolutes exist
Cultural relativism - Answers the practice of judging a culture by its own standards; views things the way
they are not as they SHOULD be; cultural tolerance championed
Problems with cultural relativism - Answers disagreement between cultures does not eliminate objective
truths
-commits naturalistic fallacy: judgement on how things are instead of how they should be
Conventional relativism - Answers Morality dependent on social acceptance (conventions); individual
morality is rejected
Subjective relativism - Answers approach to moral decision-making that makes the individual supreme;
morality a matter of personal opinion, no moral absolutes
Teleological theories of morals - Answers focus upon the results/ends of an act to determine the
morality of that act.
Deontological argument - Answers approach to moral decision-making is concerned about the means as
well as the end results of an act. It is a duty-centered approach. Choices are made based upon moral
rules and duties that are not to be violated.
Sensual hedonism - Answers Teleological, personal gratification should be result of all actions; an act is
right ONLY if it eliminates pain and brings sensual pleasure
Rational hedonism (egoism) - Answers self-interest or personal happiness should be the goal of all
actions; selfishness is perceived as a virtue
Issues with egoism - Answers -premise impossible to prove
-robs relationships of the warmth and love that make them meaningful by making every act one for
personal gain
-Either/or fallacy: falsely assumes that moral choices involve either exclusively caring for oneself, or
exclusively caring for others at the expense of oneself
-suffering purely for the benefit of others can be virtuous as well
Utilitarianism - Answers common good for all should be the goal of all actions
Situationism/situation ethics - Answers the most loving thing should be the goal of all actions in any
given situation.
Relativism - Answers right and wrong are relative to one's culture, social group, or personal perspective;
no moral absolutes exist
Cultural relativism - Answers the practice of judging a culture by its own standards; views things the way
they are not as they SHOULD be; cultural tolerance championed
Problems with cultural relativism - Answers disagreement between cultures does not eliminate objective
truths
-commits naturalistic fallacy: judgement on how things are instead of how they should be
Conventional relativism - Answers Morality dependent on social acceptance (conventions); individual
morality is rejected
Subjective relativism - Answers approach to moral decision-making that makes the individual supreme;
morality a matter of personal opinion, no moral absolutes
Teleological theories of morals - Answers focus upon the results/ends of an act to determine the
morality of that act.
Deontological argument - Answers approach to moral decision-making is concerned about the means as
well as the end results of an act. It is a duty-centered approach. Choices are made based upon moral
rules and duties that are not to be violated.
Sensual hedonism - Answers Teleological, personal gratification should be result of all actions; an act is
right ONLY if it eliminates pain and brings sensual pleasure
Rational hedonism (egoism) - Answers self-interest or personal happiness should be the goal of all
actions; selfishness is perceived as a virtue
Issues with egoism - Answers -premise impossible to prove
-robs relationships of the warmth and love that make them meaningful by making every act one for
personal gain
-Either/or fallacy: falsely assumes that moral choices involve either exclusively caring for oneself, or
exclusively caring for others at the expense of oneself
-suffering purely for the benefit of others can be virtuous as well
Utilitarianism - Answers common good for all should be the goal of all actions
Situationism/situation ethics - Answers the most loving thing should be the goal of all actions in any
given situation.
