PHILO031 Ethics – 45 Exam Questions with Verified Answers on Moral Standards and Moral Dilemmas: Norms, Values, and Ethical Decision-Making (AY 2025/2026)

This updated and exam-aligned material presents 45 verified exam questions and answers from Lesson 6 of the PHILO031 Ethics course, centered on the themes of Moral Standards and Moral Dilemmas. The document explains the foundation of moral reasoning through key concepts such as norms (rules of action), values (enduring beliefs), and their role in determining what is morally right or wrong. It differentiates between moral standards, which are based on fairness, justice, and impartiality, and non-moral standards, such as etiquette, aesthetics, and legal conventions. The content outlines the five key characteristics of moral standards, including their link to human well-being, their objectivity, and their ability to override personal interest. A significant portion of the material is devoted to understanding moral dilemmas—complex ethical situations where an agent is forced to choose between equally unfavorable or morally compromising options. The conditions for a situation to qualify as a moral dilemma are explained, along with examples that show how ethical agents are often required to act despite the inevitability of moral failure or sacrifice. This material is ideal for students enrolled in Philosophy, Ethics, Psychology, Religious Studies, or Human Behavior courses, especially those studying applied ethics, ethical decision-making, and the principles behind moral judgments. It serves as an effective tool for academic review, classroom reinforcement, or individual mastery of ethical theory in preparation for the 2025/2026 academic exams. Keywords: moral standards, moral dilemmas, norms, values, ethical decision-making, moral judgment, right and wrong, guilt and shame, impartiality, conflicting options, ethical failure, non-moral standards, etiquette, law, aesthetics, PHILO031, ethics exam