Page 1 of 209
LJU4802 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
COMPLETE PREMIUM PRACTICE
QUESTION BANK
2026/2027 EDITION
THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY –
REVISED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
itsjereguides
# TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| **Unit 1** | The Nature of Moral Discourse & Ethical Reasoning | 1–30 |
| **Unit 2** | The Legal Profession: Overview & Characteristics | 31–55 |
| **Unit 3** | Philosophical Approaches to Ethics | 56–95 |
| **Unit 4** | The South African Legal Profession | 96–125 |
| **Unit 5** | Role Morality & The Adversarial Legal System | 126–160 |
| **Unit 6** | Codes of Legal Ethics: Functions & Aims | 161–190 |
| **Unit 7** | The Legal Practice Council & Regulatory Framework | 191–215 |
| **Unit 8** | Examples of Situations Open for Unethical Conduct | 216–240 |
| **Unit 9** | Professional Conduct, Trust Accounts & Fidelity Funds | 241–260 |
| **Unit 10** | Comprehensive Scenario-Based & Critical Thinking Questions | 261–275 |
,Page 2 of 209
# UNIT 1: THE NATURE OF MORAL DISCOURSE & ETHICAL REASONING
### Question 1
**Which of the following best describes the primary focus of moral discourse in ethical
reasoning?**
A) Expressing personal beliefs and values without justification
B) Providing carefully constructed arguments with well-qualified conclusions that back up our
ideas
C) Winning arguments through emotional appeal and persuasion
D) Avoiding controversial topics to maintain social harmony
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Moral discourse is not about merely expressing personal beliefs, values, or
principles; rather, it is about the reasons underlying them. The actual value of debating and
discussing moral questions lies in providing very carefully constructed arguments that have well-
qualified conclusions that back up our ideas. This allows for a balanced as well as a deeper
understanding of the reasons underlying our opinions, beliefs, ideas, and attitudes.
**Distractor Analysis:**
- **A**: Incorrect. While moral discourse involves beliefs, it requires justification and
reasoning, not mere expression without foundation.
- **C**: Incorrect. In ethical reasoning, the idea is not to win the argument, but rather to engage
in rational discussion where participants allow each other to put forward their case.
- **D**: Incorrect. Moral discourse engages with controversial issues through constructive
reasoning rather than avoiding them.
---
,Page 3 of 209
### Question 2
**What is the distinguishing characteristic of a philosophical approach to ethics, according to the
LJU4802 module?**
A) It relies on intuition and gut feelings to determine right and wrong
B) It imposes critical thinking with regard to moral notions and requires convincing arguments to
endorse or contest those notions
C) It accepts cultural traditions as the sole basis for ethical judgment
D) It prioritizes legal rules over moral considerations
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A philosophical approach to ethics imposes on people the obligation to think
critically with regards to the moral notions which they embrace as well as to endorse or contest
those notions with convincing arguments and be ready to explain the reasons on which their
arguments are rooted. This moves beyond intuition and requires reasoned justification.
**Distractor Analysis:**
- **A**: Incorrect. People may have general ideas or intuitions about right and wrong, but a
philosophical approach requires critical thinking beyond intuition.
- **C**: Incorrect. While cultural traditions may inform ethics, a philosophical approach
requires critical examination rather than uncritical acceptance.
- **D**: Incorrect. Law and ethics are not coextensive terms, and a philosophical approach
distinguishes between them rather than prioritizing legal rules.
---
### Question 3
**In constructive ethical reasoning, what is the ideal outcome of moral discussion?**
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A) One participant proving the other completely wrong
B) Consensus or at least a workable conciliation
C) Maintaining each participant's original position unchanged
D) Avoiding any conclusion to prevent conflict
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The ideal in constructive ethical reasoning is consensus or at least a workable
conciliation. The process involves careful listening to other participants, analyzing their views,
and gaining from their opinions. Mutual respect, in addition to the skill of contributing a well-
thought argument, challenges others to engage in discussions in a more constructive way.
**Distractor Analysis:**
- **A**: Incorrect. Ethical reasoning is not about winning arguments or proving others wrong,
but about rational discussion.
- **C**: Incorrect. The goal is to learn from others and potentially adjust positions, not to
maintain them unchanged.
- **D**: Incorrect. While avoiding conflict may seem appealing, constructive ethical reasoning
aims for resolution through dialogue.
---
### Question 4
**Which statement correctly distinguishes between law and ethics?**
A) Law and ethics are identical terms that can be used interchangeably
B) Law and ethics are completely unrelated with no overlap whatsoever
C) Law and ethics are not coextensive terms, though there is often a desire to see them as similar
D) Ethics is always superior to law in determining professional conduct
LJU4802 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
COMPLETE PREMIUM PRACTICE
QUESTION BANK
2026/2027 EDITION
THOMAS EDISON STATE UNIVERSITY –
REVISED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
itsjereguides
# TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| **Unit 1** | The Nature of Moral Discourse & Ethical Reasoning | 1–30 |
| **Unit 2** | The Legal Profession: Overview & Characteristics | 31–55 |
| **Unit 3** | Philosophical Approaches to Ethics | 56–95 |
| **Unit 4** | The South African Legal Profession | 96–125 |
| **Unit 5** | Role Morality & The Adversarial Legal System | 126–160 |
| **Unit 6** | Codes of Legal Ethics: Functions & Aims | 161–190 |
| **Unit 7** | The Legal Practice Council & Regulatory Framework | 191–215 |
| **Unit 8** | Examples of Situations Open for Unethical Conduct | 216–240 |
| **Unit 9** | Professional Conduct, Trust Accounts & Fidelity Funds | 241–260 |
| **Unit 10** | Comprehensive Scenario-Based & Critical Thinking Questions | 261–275 |
,Page 2 of 209
# UNIT 1: THE NATURE OF MORAL DISCOURSE & ETHICAL REASONING
### Question 1
**Which of the following best describes the primary focus of moral discourse in ethical
reasoning?**
A) Expressing personal beliefs and values without justification
B) Providing carefully constructed arguments with well-qualified conclusions that back up our
ideas
C) Winning arguments through emotional appeal and persuasion
D) Avoiding controversial topics to maintain social harmony
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Moral discourse is not about merely expressing personal beliefs, values, or
principles; rather, it is about the reasons underlying them. The actual value of debating and
discussing moral questions lies in providing very carefully constructed arguments that have well-
qualified conclusions that back up our ideas. This allows for a balanced as well as a deeper
understanding of the reasons underlying our opinions, beliefs, ideas, and attitudes.
**Distractor Analysis:**
- **A**: Incorrect. While moral discourse involves beliefs, it requires justification and
reasoning, not mere expression without foundation.
- **C**: Incorrect. In ethical reasoning, the idea is not to win the argument, but rather to engage
in rational discussion where participants allow each other to put forward their case.
- **D**: Incorrect. Moral discourse engages with controversial issues through constructive
reasoning rather than avoiding them.
---
,Page 3 of 209
### Question 2
**What is the distinguishing characteristic of a philosophical approach to ethics, according to the
LJU4802 module?**
A) It relies on intuition and gut feelings to determine right and wrong
B) It imposes critical thinking with regard to moral notions and requires convincing arguments to
endorse or contest those notions
C) It accepts cultural traditions as the sole basis for ethical judgment
D) It prioritizes legal rules over moral considerations
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A philosophical approach to ethics imposes on people the obligation to think
critically with regards to the moral notions which they embrace as well as to endorse or contest
those notions with convincing arguments and be ready to explain the reasons on which their
arguments are rooted. This moves beyond intuition and requires reasoned justification.
**Distractor Analysis:**
- **A**: Incorrect. People may have general ideas or intuitions about right and wrong, but a
philosophical approach requires critical thinking beyond intuition.
- **C**: Incorrect. While cultural traditions may inform ethics, a philosophical approach
requires critical examination rather than uncritical acceptance.
- **D**: Incorrect. Law and ethics are not coextensive terms, and a philosophical approach
distinguishes between them rather than prioritizing legal rules.
---
### Question 3
**In constructive ethical reasoning, what is the ideal outcome of moral discussion?**
, Page 4 of 209
A) One participant proving the other completely wrong
B) Consensus or at least a workable conciliation
C) Maintaining each participant's original position unchanged
D) Avoiding any conclusion to prevent conflict
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The ideal in constructive ethical reasoning is consensus or at least a workable
conciliation. The process involves careful listening to other participants, analyzing their views,
and gaining from their opinions. Mutual respect, in addition to the skill of contributing a well-
thought argument, challenges others to engage in discussions in a more constructive way.
**Distractor Analysis:**
- **A**: Incorrect. Ethical reasoning is not about winning arguments or proving others wrong,
but about rational discussion.
- **C**: Incorrect. The goal is to learn from others and potentially adjust positions, not to
maintain them unchanged.
- **D**: Incorrect. While avoiding conflict may seem appealing, constructive ethical reasoning
aims for resolution through dialogue.
---
### Question 4
**Which statement correctly distinguishes between law and ethics?**
A) Law and ethics are identical terms that can be used interchangeably
B) Law and ethics are completely unrelated with no overlap whatsoever
C) Law and ethics are not coextensive terms, though there is often a desire to see them as similar
D) Ethics is always superior to law in determining professional conduct
