PHI 208 Final exam study set latest updated

According to the author, which statement would support cultural relativism but conflict with the best explanation of notion of "respect"? - ANSWER-To respect another person or culture is to affirm that there is nothing inferior or superior about another culture, and therefore nothing to admire or criticize. According to Glaukon, if someone possessed Ring of Gyges, all of the following would be true EXCEPT: - ANSWER-The person would become more just. Late one night over coffee, Ali and James get into a meandering conversation about the meaning and nature of love, whether anyone can ever truly love anyone else. What kind of judgments would the issues raised in this conversation be BEST described as? - ANSWER-abstract All of the following are common features of skepticism EXCEPT: - ANSWER-An attempt to formulate general ethical rules. Nafi, a cultural anthropologist, believes that at least some moral truths are independent of the values and beliefs of any particular culture or individual. What is the term for Nafi's belief? - ANSWER-moral objectivity Paulette is a philosopher who is trying to evaluate the strength of a major moral theory. As such, which of the following questions is Paulette LEAST likely to ask about the theory? - ANSWER-Does this theory avoid the frustration that can come with exploring ethical issues? The word "philosophy" literally means "love of ________." - ANSWER-wisdom Victor assumes that each individual is primarily concerned with his or her own benefit. Victor's assumption is a form of __________. - ANSWER-egoism Samara is considering how she should handle the fact that her employer overpaid her on her last check. Should she say something? Will she have to give the money back? Will her employer find out, and if so, is it better if Samara raises the issue first? These issues with which Samara is grappling are best described as ___________ judgments. - ANSWER-concrete Peyton and Vanessa are having an in-depth conversation about whether moral standards and concepts hold across cultures, or whether they are relative. What type of ethics are they considering? - ANSWER-metaethics Between what two types of judgments does a dialectical conversation move? - ANSWER-abstract and concrete Jewish law prescribes that their deceased be buried in a shroud (a tachrichim) in simple pine box with no metal parts. Muslims, however, do not bury their deceased in a casket, but rather in a shroud (a kafan) directly into an excavated grave oriented toward Mecca. The claim that each of these kinds of burial rites can be right would be an example of cultural __________. - ANSWER-relativism In philosophical terms, to support a particular moral position usually implies - ANSWER-the denial of an opposing position. Charlotte, a struggling single mother, sees a very wealthy man drop his wallet. Instead of informing him she keeps it and uses the money inside to buy some clothes and school supplies for her kids, but she feels guilty about doing that. How might an egoist of the sort Glaukon represents in his challenge explain her guilty feelings? - ANSWER-Charlotte is conditioned by society to feel bad about certain behaviors. Subjectivism differs from relativism in that it is __________ rather than __________. - ANSWER-individual; collective With what does the major moral theory known as deontological ethics primarily concern itself? - ANSWER-the nature of an action itself With what does the major moral theory known as virtue ethics primarily concern itself? - ANSWER-the nature and character of a person performing an action In September 2017, Saudi Arabia granted its women the right to drive—the last country on earth to do so. Many people judged this as positive progress. What does this judgment imply about the idea of cultural relativism? - ANSWER-It challenges relativism by recognizing an objective standard of women's rights toward which the country has progressed. With what does the major moral theory known as utilitarianism primarily concern itself? - ANSWER-the consequences of an action Regarding human rights, the United Nations challenges the concept of cultural relativism by stating that - ANSWER-while there are many legitimate cultural variations, all people have certain basic human rights that must be respected. Agnes is a widow with disabilities in her late 60s. Due to these circumstances, she only has to pay half of her electricity and water bills. What would a deontologist say about this situation? - ANSWER-Agnes is acting morally since some duties, like the duty to pay one's bills, apply differently in different circumstances. In 2012, sports fans were saddened and outraged to learn that cycling superstar Lance Armstrong had used illegal performance-enhancing drugs for years. A deontologist would say that his actions were wrong because they - ANSWER-implied that laws and rules applied differently to him than to other athletes. Professor Donovan is a Kantian philosopher. Therefore, she argues that the true value of "a good will" lies in - ANSWER-doing the right thing for no other reason than it is right. What is one way Lilly can determine if her actions respect her friends as ends-in-themselves? - ANSWER-Lilly ensures that her friends understand her reasons for acting and willingly accept them. In Rwanda, a farmer is hiding a group of persecuted Tutsis from a Hutu military commander. The farmer believes that he has to always tell the truth, and that this is a categorical imperative. If the Hutu commander asks if he has any hidden Tutsis, and he tells the truth, who is to blame for the Tutsis' capture according to Kantian theory? - ANSWER-the Hutu commander, because only he is responsible for his own decisions Immanuel Kant claims that the only thing that is moral without qualification is __________. - ANSWER-a good will According to deontological ethics, duties are - ANSWER-independent of personal interests and desires. What does Kant mean when he uses "humanity" in the moral sense? - ANSWER-our capacity to rationally and autonomously set and pursue our own ends Some people claim that all Americans have a fundamental right to health care. What would a deontological thinker add to that claim, if it were true? - ANSWER-This right is independent of its potential benefit to society or what the laws happen to be. Which of the following scenarios indicates an autonomous decision? - ANSWER-Greta helped her colleague move his desk because she knew that if she were in his position she would appreciate the help. The duty to always treat humanity as an end-in-itself and never as a mere means is a(n) __________. - ANSWER-categorical imperative Xavier, a retail store owner, wants to always act from duty. Knowing this, which of the following sentiments is Xavier MOST likely to express? - ANSWER-"I keep my promises to my clientele because that's what everyone should always do." Ursula is a student of Kantian philosophy who argues that we should never use people as a means to an end unless - ANSWER-we are simultaneously respecting their rational autonomy. What is the most accurate term for the rules and regulations expressed in the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights? - ANSWER-universal laws An action's maxim is best understood as the - ANSWER-policy or principle you would be following if you took that action. What is the primary reason for conducting Kant's "universalization test"? - ANSWER-to determine whether we are excepting ourselves from a policy we think everyone else should follow Which of the following is a Kantian approach to helping a family in need? - ANSWER-"I should recognize that I would never want a world where people did not help each other, and thus help them the best I can." A deontological moral theory regards the morality of actions as - ANSWER-based on duty. How would a deontologist respond to the fact that human rights advocates often peacefully protest or even break civil laws that they think are unjust? - ANSWER-The advocates' actions are moral because sometimes there are duties and moral laws higher than those prescribed by civil law. According to Kant, suicide is - ANSWER-immoral because it involves treating one's autonomous will merely as a means to relieve suffering. LeBron is writing a paper on how utilitarianism applies to animals. Which statement would be an example of the objectivity (scientific rationality) of utilitarianism? - ANSWER-Science shows that animals experience pleasure and pain, and so those experiences should be considered when reasoning about moral actions If someone were to question the value of scientific research on utilitarian grounds, which of the following would be the likeliest reason? - ANSWER-The potential for the results to improve the world is not evident. What would not be a utilitarian argument on same-sex couples being allowed to marry? - ANSWER-They should be allowed to marry because the freedom to marry the person you choose is a fundamental human right. Utilitarianism claims that morally right actions, policies, or laws are those whose consequences have the greatest positive value and least negative value __________. - ANSWER-compared to available alternatives Which of the following would be an expression of rule utilitarianism rather than act utilitarianism? - ANSWER-"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." Why does Mill call utilitarianism a "more profoundly religious [doctrine] than any other"? - ANSWER-Because God desires, above all things, the happiness of his creatures. Kathleen is a girls' soccer coach who lies now and then to her young team in order to keep up their spirits and guarantee they have fun, even if they are not the best players in the league. Kathleen's lying could be an example of utilitarian __________. - ANSWER-adaptability Some utilitarians maintain that the standard of right action should be the ___¬________ consequences, not the __________ consequences produced by an action. - ANSWER-intended; actual All of the following can make it difficult to calculate an action's utility EXCEPT - ANSWER-he commitment of the person taking the action. Utilitarianism and consequentialism more broadly are ethical theories that __________. - ANSWER-have many variations According to Mill, how can we determine the difference between higher and lower pleasures? - ANSWER-By the preference of those who are acquainted with both. Which of the following statements is a common misconception about utilitarian philosophy? - ANSWER-The majority always rules. Among the following scenarios, which is MOST likely to be morally right according to utilitarianism - ANSWER-lay off 15% of 2,000 workers so that the remaining 85% do not lose their jobs. Who is considered the father of utilitarianism? - ANSWER-Jeremy Bentham According to John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism takes into account the happiness of - ANSWER-everyone, and weights everyone's happiness equally. Allen is a critic of utilitarianism. Of the following sentences, which is LEAST likely to factor into his critique? - ANSWER-"There is no such thing as happiness and suffering." What does the utilitarian mean by the term "wrong actions"? - ANSWER-actions that are performed when another action would result in a greater overall balance of happiness and unhappiness What did John Stuart Mill believe about those who sacrifice their own happiness for that of others? - ANSWER-They demonstrate the utilitarian principle that the greatest happiness for the greatest number should serve as the standard of our actions. Which of the following is the BEST example of an action that was morally wrong because the advantages to the majority were outweighed by the suffering of the minority? - ANSWER-the use of child labor in factories in the 1800s According to John Stuart Mill, what is the ultimate purpose of everything we do? - ANSWER-to gain pleasure and avoid pain According to the textbook, we tend to call something like a car or a student "good" when it - ANSWER-functions well and serves its purpose. Phronesis is the Greek term for which of Aristotle's cardinal virtues: - ANSWER-practical wisdom With which of the following statements would an Aristotelian most AGREE? - ANSWER-Happiness is a reflective life that continually seeks to orient itself toward the good. Aristotle defines a virtue as a(n) __________ that requires __________. - ANSWER-habit; practice The personal qualities that enable an individual to live a good life and flourish as a human being are known as __________. - ANSWER-moral virtues Drew is a person who always tries to make practically wise choices. What would NOT characterize these choices according to an Aristotelian? - ANSWER-They strictly obey rules set down by the person's culture or society. Dana, a philosophy major, supports the conclusions she reads in Nicomachean Ethics. Knowing this, how do you think Dana defines happiness? - ANSWER-as a life that is lived well