PHI 208 WEEK 2 QUIZ.

PHI 208 WEEK 2 QUIZ. Question 1 1 / 1 pts What is the BEST meaning of the term “the irreducible plurality of values”? Values cannot be reduced to measurable utility because there is no such thing as pleasure or pain. Correct! Some values, such as the value of human life or certain aesthetic goods, cannot be reduced to measurable utility. There is never a right moral choice when there are multiple actions to choose from. Values are simply what the majority of people happen to prefer. Question 2 1 / 1 pts Which of the following statements is a common misconception about utilitarian philosophy? There may be good reasons for the majority to make sacrifices for the sake of the minority. Correct! The majority always rules. The needs of the minorities always matter the most. Everyone deserves equal consideration. Question 3 1 / 1 pts “Respect for persons” is the basis of a common objection to utilitarianism. The argument states that a utilitarian does not adequately respect the dignity and rights of the individual. Which of the following stories from this text BEST reflects that objection? The soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades. The voluntary sacrifices of Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mahatma Ghandi. Correct! The surgeon who considers killing a healthy Sally to harvest organs for five dying patients. The self-centered shepherd who keeps a magic ring to make himself invisible. Question 4 1 / 1 pts Who is considered the father of utilitarianism? John Stuart Mill Correct! Jeremy Bentham Glaukon Mary Midgley Question 5 1 / 1 pts Lois considers herself an act utilitarian. Accordingly, which of the following statements is Lois MOST likely to make? “It is O.K. to violate someone’s rights if the law says it’s okay.” “Good consequences are not as important as human rights.” “The notion of rights is just a way for lesser members of society to maintain control over those capable of greatness.” Correct! “It may be O.K. to violate someone’s rights if the good you produce outweighs the harm caused by the violation.” Question 6 1 / 1 pts What would not be a utilitarian argument on same-sex couples being allowed to marry? They should not be allowed to marry because children benefit more from having opposite-sex parents. Correct! They should be allowed to marry because the freedom to marry the person you choose is a fundamental human right. They should not be allowed to marry because it offends more people than it pleases. They should be allowed to marry because it makes them happy, helps reduce the burdens and prejudices same-sex couples face, and doesn’t hurt anyone else. Question 7 1 / 1 pts All of the following can make it difficult to calculate an action’s utility EXCEPT the scope and time frame of the consequences to be considered. Correct! the commitment of the person taking the action. determining what constitutes the greatest good. disagreement about the meaning of happiness. Question 8 1 / 1 pts Utilitarianism is a form of what broader ethical theory? Correct! consequentialism egoism deontology Stoicism Question 9 1 / 1 pts According to John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism takes into account the happiness of only the agent (actor). everyone, but gives greater weight to those who are more intelligent. the agent (actor) and those the agent cares about. Correct! everyone, and weights everyone’s happiness equally. Question 10 1 / 1 pts Among the following scenarios, which is MOST likely to be morally right according to utilitarianism decrease the salaries of 2,000 workers so that the factory owners can increase their profit. Correct! lay off 15% of 2,000 workers so that the remaining 85% do not lose their jobs. lay off 15% of 2,000 workers to instill fear in the other 85% making them more obedient. shut down a hanger factory that employs 2,000 workers to move it to a different country where taxes are lower. Question 11 1 / 1 pts If someone were to question the value of scientific research on utilitarian grounds, which of the following would be the likeliest reason? Correct! The potential for the results to improve the world is not evident. They believe the research process is too slow. They believe the research isn’t politically advantageous. The results conflict with religious teachings. Question 12 1 / 1 pts Which of the following would be an expression of rule utilitarianism rather than act utilitarianism? Correct! “Even if torturing this person right now might be beneficial, the overall consequences of permitting torture are harmful, and so we should not allow it in any circumstance.” “We shouldn't torture this person because we wouldn’t want him to torture us.” “It is okay to torture this person because it may save thousands of lives.” “It is immoral to torture this person because the pain it would cause him outweighs any potential benefits we might receive.” Question 13 1 / 1 pts Why does Mill call utilitarianism a “more profoundly religious [doctrine] than any other”? Because no other doctrine considers happiness. Correct! Because God desires, above all things, the happiness of his creatures. Because all other doctrines are godless. Because more religious leaders subscribe to utilitarianism than any other doctrine. Question 14 1 / 1 pts What did John Stuart Mill believe about those who sacrifice their own happiness for that of others? They represent an aspect of morality that utilitarianism cannot explain. They are mistaken since their own happiness should be their only aim. Correct! They demonstrate the utilitarian principle that the greatest happiness for the greatest number should serve as the standard of our actions. They do the right thing but for the wrong reason since the happiness of others isn’t important. Question 15 1 / 1 pts Allen is a critic of utilitarianism. Of the following sentences, which is LEAST likely to factor into his critique? “One cannot define happiness and suffering in a universal way.” “One cannot measure happiness and suffering.” Correct! “There is no such thing as happiness and suffering.” “There are other things more important than happiness and suffering.” Question 16 1 / 1 pts LeBron is writing a paper on how utilitarianism applies to animals. Which statement would be an example of the objectivity (scientific rationality) of utilitarianism? Only the pleasure and pain of humans matter because only humans have an immaterial soul. Correct! Science shows that animals experience pleasure and pain, and so those experiences should be considered when reasoning about moral actions. Humans have always treated animals as lesser beings, and so that means that we are right to continue doing so. All animals have the same inherent dignity and the right not to be treated as a mere means to another’s ends. Question 17 1 / 1 pts Utilitarianism and consequentialism more broadly are ethical theories that . have few concrete applications have almost no critics or challengers Correct! have many variations use outdated forms of reasoning Question 18 1 / 1 pts What does the utilitarian mean by the term “wrong actions”? actions that add to the unhappiness or pain of even one person actions that are against society’s laws or regulations, even if those laws or regulations are immoral actions that are performed with the intent of hurting oneself for pleasure (masochism) Correct! actions that are performed when another action would result in a greater overall balance of happiness and unhappiness Question 19 1 / 1 pts According to John Stuart Mill, what is the ultimate purpose of everything we do? Correct! to gain pleasure and avoid pain to fulfill the role that society has given us to acquire as much wealth and power as possible to adhere to the rules of religion and society Question 20 1 / 1 pts According to Mill, how can we determine the difference between higher and lower pleasures? We can’t, since Mill says there is no discernable difference. Correct! By the preference of those who are acquainted with both. By their conformity to religious teachings. By their relative duration and intensity. Quiz Score: 20 out of 20