The Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas – Edward Westermarck – Test Bank (Comprehensive Questions on Moral Philosophy and Ethics)

Test Bank For The Origin and Development of
the Moral Ideas by Edward Westermarck.

,Volume I
●​ Chapter I: The Emotional Origin of Moral Judgments
●​ Chapter II: The Nature of the Moral Emotions
●​ Chapter III: The Nature of the Moral Emotions (continued)
●​ Chapter IV: The Nature of the Moral Emotions (concluded)
●​ Chapter V: The Origin of the Moral Emotions
●​ Chapter VI: Analysis of the Principal Moral Concepts
●​ Chapter VII: Customs and Laws as Expressions of Moral Ideas
●​ Chapter VIII: The General Nature of the Subjects of Enlightened Moral Judgments
●​ Chapter IX: The Will as the Subject of Moral Judgment and the Influence of
External Events
●​ Chapter X: Agents Under Intellectual Disability
●​ Chapter XI: Motives
●​ Chapter XII: Forbearances and Carelessness
●​ Chapter XIII: Character—Why Moral Judgments are Passed on Conduct and
Character; Moral Valuation and Free-Will
●​ Chapter XIV: Preliminary Remarks—Homicide in General
●​ Chapter XV: Homicide in General (continued)
●​ Chapter XVI: Homicide in General (concluded)
●​ Chapter XVII: The Killing of Parents, Sick Persons, Children—Feticide
●​ Chapter XVIII: The Killing of Women and of Slaves—The Criminality of Homicide
Influenced by Distinctions of Class
●​ Chapter XIX: Human Sacrifice
●​ Chapter XX: Blood-Revenge and Compensation—The Punishment of Death
●​ Chapter XXI: The Duel
●​ Chapter XXII: Bodily Injuries
●​ Chapter XXIII: Charity and Generosity
●​ Chapter XXIV: Hospitality
●​ Chapter XXV: The Subjection of Children
●​ Chapter XXVI: The Subjection of Wives
●​ Chapter XXVII: Slavery

Volume II
●​ Chapter XXVIII: The Right of Property
●​ Chapter XXIX: The Right of Property (concluded)
●​ Chapter XXX: The Regard for Truth and Good Faith
●​ Chapter XXXI: The Regard for Truth and Good Faith (concluded)
●​ Chapter XXXII: The Respect for Other Men's Honour and Self-Regarding
Pride—Politeness
●​ Chapter XXXIII: Regard for Other Persons' Happiness in General—Gratitude;
Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism
●​ Chapter XXXIV: The Origin and Development of the Altruistic Sentiment
●​ Chapter XXXV: Suicide

,●​ Chapter XXXVI: Self-Regarding Duties and Virtues; Industry—Rest
●​ Chapter XXXVII: Restrictions in Diet
●​ Chapter XXXVIII: Restrictions in Diet (concluded)
●​ Chapter XXXIX: Cleanliness and Uncleanliness; Asceticism in General
●​ Chapter XL: Marriage
●​ Chapter XLI: Celibacy
●​ Chapter XLII: Free Love; Adultery
●​ Chapter XLIII: Homosexual Love
●​ Chapter XLIV: Regard for the Lower Animals
●​ Chapter XLV: Regard for the Dead
●​ Chapter XLVI: Cannibalism
●​ Chapter XLVII: The Belief in Supernatural Beings
●​ Chapter XLVIII: Duties to Gods
●​ Chapter XLIX: Duties to Gods (concluded)
●​ Chapter L: Gods as Guardians of Morality
●​ Chapter LI: Gods as Guardians of Morality (continued)
●​ Chapter LII: Gods as Guardians of Morality (concluded)
●​ Chapter LIII: Conclusion

, Chapter I: The Emotional Origin of Moral Judgments

Question 1

A community witnesses an act of theft and experiences a collective urge to punish the
offender, even though the theft did not directly harm any individual member of the
majority. According to Westermarck’s thesis in Chapter I: The Emotional Origin of Moral
Judgments, what is the psychological essence of this reaction?

A) A cognitive recognition of a breach in the social contract.

B) A disinterested retributive emotion that seeks to inflict suffering on the source of pain.

C) A utilitarian calculation regarding the long-term stability of property rights.

D) An innate biological drive to protect the tribe’s resource pool.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Westermarck argues that moral judgments are not derived from intellect
or objective truths but from "retributive emotions." Moral disapproval is a form of
resentment—an emotion that seeks to provide a "payback" of suffering to the cause
of pain. For this resentment to be "moral," it must be disinterested and impartial,
meaning the community feels the urge to punish even when they are not the direct
victims.


Question 2

In the transition from "primitive" to "enlightened" moral systems, Westermarck notes a
significant shift in how agents are judged. If a man accidentally causes a fire that destroys
a village, an "enlightened" moral judge (per Chapter IX) would most likely:

A) Punish the man based on the "lex talionis" (eye for an eye) to restore social balance.

B) Excuse the man from moral blame, as the event lacked a malicious "will" or "intention."

C) Demand restitution based on the total economic loss to the community.

D) Attribute the fire to supernatural intervention and perform a cleansing ritual.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Westermarck posits that as moral consciousness develops or becomes
"enlightened," the focus of judgment shifts from the external event (the damage
caused) to the internal state of the agent. The "will" becomes the true subject of
moral valuation. If the agent did not intend the outcome or act with culpable
negligence, the enlightened moral emotion of resentment is not triggered, because
the "will" was not directed toward harm.