,ETHC 101 Quiz 1 | Introduction to Ethics (2026) Q&A |
Liberty University
1. Which of the following best defines ethical relativism?
A) The view that moral principles are binding on all people regardless of their beliefs
B) The view that what is actually right and wrong can vary from one person or group to
another
C) The view that morality is determined by a divine lawgiver
D) The view that moral truths are universally known through reason alone
Correct Answer: The view that what is actually right and wrong can vary from one
person or group to another
Rationale: Ethical relativism is the view that what is actually right and wrong can vary
from one person or group of people to another. It denies the existence of universally
binding moral principles. Ethical absolutism, in contrast, holds that binding moral
principles exist regardless of what people believe about them.
2. Which of the following best defines ethical absolutism?
A) The view that what is right or wrong is determined by the society in which you live
B) The view that there is no possible way to be objective about morality
C) The view that binding moral principles do exist, regardless of what people believe about
them
D) The view that morality is merely a matter of personal opinion
Correct Answer: The view that binding moral principles do exist, regardless of what
people believe about them
,Rationale: Ethical absolutism is the view that binding moral principles do exist,
regardless of what people believe about them. It affirms that there are timeless, unchanging
moral truths that apply equally to all people, everywhere, all the time. This contrasts with
ethical relativism.
3. What is moral subjectivism?
A) The view that morality is determined by cultural consensus
B) The view that there is no possible way to be objective about morality
C) The view that moral truths are grounded in the nature of reality
D) The view that moral principles are universally binding
Correct Answer: The view that there is no possible way to be objective about morality
Rationale: Moral subjectivism is the view that there is no possible way to be objective
about morality—that moral judgments are merely expressions of individual preference or
feeling. It denies the existence of objective moral facts. This view is a form of ethical
relativism.
4. The Diversity Thesis affirms that:
A) All cultures share the same basic moral principles
B) Moral rules differ from society to society
C) There is a single, universal moral code
D) Moral truths are known through divine revelation
Correct Answer: Moral rules differ from society to society
Rationale: The Diversity Thesis is the descriptive claim that moral rules differ from
society to society. It is an anthropological observation about the variety of moral practices
across cultures. It does not, by itself, entail ethical relativism as a normative position.
, 5. According to the Moral Reasoning textbook, what is the principle of double effect?
A) The principle that an otherwise good act that has some undesirable consequences is
morally permissible if it meets certain specific criteria
B) The principle that one should always act in a way that maximizes overall happiness
C) The principle that moral rules are determined by the society in which one lives
D) The principle that one should never perform an action that has any negative
consequences
Correct Answer: The principle that an otherwise good act that has some undesirable
consequences is morally permissible if it meets certain specific criteria
Rationale: The principle of double effect states that an otherwise good act that has some
undesirable consequences is morally permissible if it meets certain specific criteria, such as
the act itself being morally good or neutral, the bad effect not being the means to the good
effect, and the good effect outweighing the bad effect.
6. According to the Moral Reasoning textbook, what are moral universals?
A) Moral principles that are held by all people
B) Moral rules that vary from culture to culture
C) Moral opinions that are based on individual preference
D) Moral laws that are enforced by governments
Correct Answer: Moral principles that are held by all people
Rationale: According to the Moral Reasoning textbook, moral universals are moral
principles that are held by all people. These are cross-cultural moral norms that appear to
be universally accepted, such as prohibitions against murder and lying. They are distinct
from culturally variable moral rules.
Liberty University
1. Which of the following best defines ethical relativism?
A) The view that moral principles are binding on all people regardless of their beliefs
B) The view that what is actually right and wrong can vary from one person or group to
another
C) The view that morality is determined by a divine lawgiver
D) The view that moral truths are universally known through reason alone
Correct Answer: The view that what is actually right and wrong can vary from one
person or group to another
Rationale: Ethical relativism is the view that what is actually right and wrong can vary
from one person or group of people to another. It denies the existence of universally
binding moral principles. Ethical absolutism, in contrast, holds that binding moral
principles exist regardless of what people believe about them.
2. Which of the following best defines ethical absolutism?
A) The view that what is right or wrong is determined by the society in which you live
B) The view that there is no possible way to be objective about morality
C) The view that binding moral principles do exist, regardless of what people believe about
them
D) The view that morality is merely a matter of personal opinion
Correct Answer: The view that binding moral principles do exist, regardless of what
people believe about them
,Rationale: Ethical absolutism is the view that binding moral principles do exist,
regardless of what people believe about them. It affirms that there are timeless, unchanging
moral truths that apply equally to all people, everywhere, all the time. This contrasts with
ethical relativism.
3. What is moral subjectivism?
A) The view that morality is determined by cultural consensus
B) The view that there is no possible way to be objective about morality
C) The view that moral truths are grounded in the nature of reality
D) The view that moral principles are universally binding
Correct Answer: The view that there is no possible way to be objective about morality
Rationale: Moral subjectivism is the view that there is no possible way to be objective
about morality—that moral judgments are merely expressions of individual preference or
feeling. It denies the existence of objective moral facts. This view is a form of ethical
relativism.
4. The Diversity Thesis affirms that:
A) All cultures share the same basic moral principles
B) Moral rules differ from society to society
C) There is a single, universal moral code
D) Moral truths are known through divine revelation
Correct Answer: Moral rules differ from society to society
Rationale: The Diversity Thesis is the descriptive claim that moral rules differ from
society to society. It is an anthropological observation about the variety of moral practices
across cultures. It does not, by itself, entail ethical relativism as a normative position.
, 5. According to the Moral Reasoning textbook, what is the principle of double effect?
A) The principle that an otherwise good act that has some undesirable consequences is
morally permissible if it meets certain specific criteria
B) The principle that one should always act in a way that maximizes overall happiness
C) The principle that moral rules are determined by the society in which one lives
D) The principle that one should never perform an action that has any negative
consequences
Correct Answer: The principle that an otherwise good act that has some undesirable
consequences is morally permissible if it meets certain specific criteria
Rationale: The principle of double effect states that an otherwise good act that has some
undesirable consequences is morally permissible if it meets certain specific criteria, such as
the act itself being morally good or neutral, the bad effect not being the means to the good
effect, and the good effect outweighing the bad effect.
6. According to the Moral Reasoning textbook, what are moral universals?
A) Moral principles that are held by all people
B) Moral rules that vary from culture to culture
C) Moral opinions that are based on individual preference
D) Moral laws that are enforced by governments
Correct Answer: Moral principles that are held by all people
Rationale: According to the Moral Reasoning textbook, moral universals are moral
principles that are held by all people. These are cross-cultural moral norms that appear to
be universally accepted, such as prohibitions against murder and lying. They are distinct
from culturally variable moral rules.
