1
WGU D333 PRE-ASSESSMENT VERSION 1 ACTUAL
2026/2027 | Ethics in Technology | Grade A Verified
Questions & Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Ethical Frameworks & Moral Reasoning (Questions 1-
12)
Question 1
A software company must decide whether to release a product with a known minor
bug that affects 0.1% of users but would delay launch by 3 months and cost $2
million to fix. The CEO argues that the overall benefit to 99.9% of users outweighs
the harm to the small affected group. Which ethical framework is the CEO applying?
A. Deontology
B. Virtue ethics
C. Utilitarianism
D. Ethical egoism
Correct Answer: C. Utilitarianism [CORRECT]
Rationale: Utilitarianism (consequentialism) evaluates actions based on maximizing
aggregate happiness or minimizing aggregate harm. The CEO weighs total benefits
against total harms for all stakeholders. Deontology (A) would reject this calculation
and insist on duty-based obligations regardless of outcomes. Virtue ethics (B)
focuses on character traits, and ethical egoism (D) would consider only the
company's self-interest.
Correct Answer: C
Question 2
,2
A database administrator discovers that their employer is selling customer data to
third parties without consent. The administrator refuses to participate, stating that
using persons merely as means to profit violates a universal moral duty. Which
philosopher's framework best supports this position?
A. Jeremy Bentham
B. Immanuel Kant
C. Aristotle
D. Ayn Rand
Correct Answer: B. Immanuel Kant [CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's categorical imperative prohibits treating persons merely as means
to an end and requires acting according to maxims one can will as universal law.
Selling data without consent violates autonomy and dignity. Bentham (A) is
utilitarian, Aristotle (C) focuses on virtue and character, and Rand (D) advocates
ethical egoism and laissez-faire capitalism.
Correct Answer: B
Question 3
An IT manager consistently demonstrates honesty, integrity, and fairness in all
professional interactions, even when no policies explicitly require such behavior.
Colleagues describe the manager as trustworthy and principled. Which ethical
framework best explains this consistent moral character?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue ethics
D. Social contract theory
Correct Answer: C. Virtue ethics [CORRECT]
Rationale: Virtue ethics (Aristotle) evaluates moral character and the cultivation of
excellent traits (honesty, integrity, fairness) rather than specific actions or
consequences. The manager's consistent character demonstrates virtue. Utilitarianism
,3
(A) evaluates outcomes, deontology (B) evaluates duties/rules, and social contract
theory (D) evaluates agreements among rational agents.
Correct Answer: C
Question 4
A team of developers must choose between two project approaches. Approach A
generates higher short-term revenue but exploits user attention through addictive
design patterns. Approach B is less profitable but respects user autonomy and well-
being. A developer argues that respecting user dignity is a moral duty regardless of
profit. Which framework supports this argument?
A. Utilitarianism, because long-term user trust maximizes aggregate welfare
B. Deontology, because respecting autonomy is a categorical duty
C. Ethical egoism, because reputation damage harms the company
D. Moral relativism, because different cultures value autonomy differently
Correct Answer: B. Deontology, because respecting autonomy is a categorical duty
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Deontology holds that certain duties (respecting autonomy, honesty, non-
maleficence) are binding regardless of consequences. The developer's argument that
dignity must be respected "regardless of profit" is a duty-based claim, not a
consequentialist calculation (A), self-interested concern (C), or cultural variability
claim (D).
Correct Answer: B
Question 5
A country with strict internet censorship argues that its policies are ethically justified
within its cultural context and that no universal standard should be imposed. Which
position does this argument represent?
, 4
A. Ethical absolutism
B. Ethical relativism
C. Deontology
D. Virtue ethics
Correct Answer: B. Ethical relativism [CORRECT]
Rationale: Ethical relativism holds that moral standards are culturally determined and
no universal moral truths exist. The argument that censorship is justified "within its
cultural context" with no imposed universal standard is classic relativism. Absolutism
(A) would reject cultural variability, while deontology (C) and virtue ethics (D) can be
applied universally or culturally but are not defined by contextual justification.
Correct Answer: B
Question 6
An IT professional is offered a lucrative contract to develop surveillance software for
a government known to use such technology to suppress political dissent. The
professional declines, reasoning that no rational person would want to live in a
society where developers routinely create tools for oppression. Which ethical
framework best supports this reasoning?
A. Kant's categorical imperative (universalizability formulation)
B. Bentham's hedonic calculus
C. Aristotle's doctrine of the mean
D. Rand's virtue of selfishness
Correct Answer: A. Kant's categorical imperative (universalizability formulation)
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's universalizability test asks whether one can consistently will that
everyone act on the same maxim. Creating oppression tools fails this test because no
rational agent would will a universal law permitting such development. Bentham (B)
would calculate pleasure/pain, Aristotle's mean (C) is about balanced character, and
Rand (D) would evaluate self-interest.
Correct Answer: A
WGU D333 PRE-ASSESSMENT VERSION 1 ACTUAL
2026/2027 | Ethics in Technology | Grade A Verified
Questions & Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Ethical Frameworks & Moral Reasoning (Questions 1-
12)
Question 1
A software company must decide whether to release a product with a known minor
bug that affects 0.1% of users but would delay launch by 3 months and cost $2
million to fix. The CEO argues that the overall benefit to 99.9% of users outweighs
the harm to the small affected group. Which ethical framework is the CEO applying?
A. Deontology
B. Virtue ethics
C. Utilitarianism
D. Ethical egoism
Correct Answer: C. Utilitarianism [CORRECT]
Rationale: Utilitarianism (consequentialism) evaluates actions based on maximizing
aggregate happiness or minimizing aggregate harm. The CEO weighs total benefits
against total harms for all stakeholders. Deontology (A) would reject this calculation
and insist on duty-based obligations regardless of outcomes. Virtue ethics (B)
focuses on character traits, and ethical egoism (D) would consider only the
company's self-interest.
Correct Answer: C
Question 2
,2
A database administrator discovers that their employer is selling customer data to
third parties without consent. The administrator refuses to participate, stating that
using persons merely as means to profit violates a universal moral duty. Which
philosopher's framework best supports this position?
A. Jeremy Bentham
B. Immanuel Kant
C. Aristotle
D. Ayn Rand
Correct Answer: B. Immanuel Kant [CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's categorical imperative prohibits treating persons merely as means
to an end and requires acting according to maxims one can will as universal law.
Selling data without consent violates autonomy and dignity. Bentham (A) is
utilitarian, Aristotle (C) focuses on virtue and character, and Rand (D) advocates
ethical egoism and laissez-faire capitalism.
Correct Answer: B
Question 3
An IT manager consistently demonstrates honesty, integrity, and fairness in all
professional interactions, even when no policies explicitly require such behavior.
Colleagues describe the manager as trustworthy and principled. Which ethical
framework best explains this consistent moral character?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue ethics
D. Social contract theory
Correct Answer: C. Virtue ethics [CORRECT]
Rationale: Virtue ethics (Aristotle) evaluates moral character and the cultivation of
excellent traits (honesty, integrity, fairness) rather than specific actions or
consequences. The manager's consistent character demonstrates virtue. Utilitarianism
,3
(A) evaluates outcomes, deontology (B) evaluates duties/rules, and social contract
theory (D) evaluates agreements among rational agents.
Correct Answer: C
Question 4
A team of developers must choose between two project approaches. Approach A
generates higher short-term revenue but exploits user attention through addictive
design patterns. Approach B is less profitable but respects user autonomy and well-
being. A developer argues that respecting user dignity is a moral duty regardless of
profit. Which framework supports this argument?
A. Utilitarianism, because long-term user trust maximizes aggregate welfare
B. Deontology, because respecting autonomy is a categorical duty
C. Ethical egoism, because reputation damage harms the company
D. Moral relativism, because different cultures value autonomy differently
Correct Answer: B. Deontology, because respecting autonomy is a categorical duty
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Deontology holds that certain duties (respecting autonomy, honesty, non-
maleficence) are binding regardless of consequences. The developer's argument that
dignity must be respected "regardless of profit" is a duty-based claim, not a
consequentialist calculation (A), self-interested concern (C), or cultural variability
claim (D).
Correct Answer: B
Question 5
A country with strict internet censorship argues that its policies are ethically justified
within its cultural context and that no universal standard should be imposed. Which
position does this argument represent?
, 4
A. Ethical absolutism
B. Ethical relativism
C. Deontology
D. Virtue ethics
Correct Answer: B. Ethical relativism [CORRECT]
Rationale: Ethical relativism holds that moral standards are culturally determined and
no universal moral truths exist. The argument that censorship is justified "within its
cultural context" with no imposed universal standard is classic relativism. Absolutism
(A) would reject cultural variability, while deontology (C) and virtue ethics (D) can be
applied universally or culturally but are not defined by contextual justification.
Correct Answer: B
Question 6
An IT professional is offered a lucrative contract to develop surveillance software for
a government known to use such technology to suppress political dissent. The
professional declines, reasoning that no rational person would want to live in a
society where developers routinely create tools for oppression. Which ethical
framework best supports this reasoning?
A. Kant's categorical imperative (universalizability formulation)
B. Bentham's hedonic calculus
C. Aristotle's doctrine of the mean
D. Rand's virtue of selfishness
Correct Answer: A. Kant's categorical imperative (universalizability formulation)
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Kant's universalizability test asks whether one can consistently will that
everyone act on the same maxim. Creating oppression tools fails this test because no
rational agent would will a universal law permitting such development. Bentham (B)
would calculate pleasure/pain, Aristotle's mean (C) is about balanced character, and
Rand (D) would evaluate self-interest.
Correct Answer: A
