, Chapter 2—Normative Theories of Ethics
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Consequentialism
a. is best represented by Ross's theory of ethics.
b. states that sometimes the consequences of our actions can be morally relevant.
c. states that the moral rightness of an action is determined solely by its results.
d. differs from nonconsequentialism because nonconsequentialism denies that consequences
have any moral significance.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 55
2. If you adopt ethical egoism as your moral code, then
a. you can never act honestly or be gracious or helpful to others.
b. you must endorse hedonism.
c. you must always avoid any unpleasant or painful experiences.
d. you believe that it is morally right to do whatever promotes your self-interest.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 56
3. Egoism as a psychological theory
a. states that self-interest is the only thing that ever motivates anyone.
b. is the same thing as ethical egoism.
c. states that people are sometimes selfish.
d. is based on egoism as an ethical theory.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 57
4. Which of the following represents a utilitarian belief?
a. Rightness is determined by what most people want, i.e., by majority rule.
b. Rightness is determined by what will bring about the most good.
c. We should concern ourselves only with the immediate results of our actions.
d. We must always disregard our own happiness when deciding what to do.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 59
5. According to the utilitarian theory, an action is morally right if and only if
a. it makes the person who does it happy.
b. everyone prefers that action to any other action.
c. it maximizes total, net happiness.
d. it brings only happiness and causes no pain.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 59
6. Utilitarians believe that
a. knowledge, friendship, and aesthetic satisfaction are intrinsically valuable (or inherently
good).
b. we can predict with certainty the future consequences of our actions.
c. an action that leads to unhappiness is morally right if any other action that you could have
performed instead would have brought about even more unhappiness.
d. an action can't be right if the people who are made happy by it are outnumbered by the
people who are made unhappy by it.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Consequentialism
a. is best represented by Ross's theory of ethics.
b. states that sometimes the consequences of our actions can be morally relevant.
c. states that the moral rightness of an action is determined solely by its results.
d. differs from nonconsequentialism because nonconsequentialism denies that consequences
have any moral significance.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 55
2. If you adopt ethical egoism as your moral code, then
a. you can never act honestly or be gracious or helpful to others.
b. you must endorse hedonism.
c. you must always avoid any unpleasant or painful experiences.
d. you believe that it is morally right to do whatever promotes your self-interest.
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 56
3. Egoism as a psychological theory
a. states that self-interest is the only thing that ever motivates anyone.
b. is the same thing as ethical egoism.
c. states that people are sometimes selfish.
d. is based on egoism as an ethical theory.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 57
4. Which of the following represents a utilitarian belief?
a. Rightness is determined by what most people want, i.e., by majority rule.
b. Rightness is determined by what will bring about the most good.
c. We should concern ourselves only with the immediate results of our actions.
d. We must always disregard our own happiness when deciding what to do.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 59
5. According to the utilitarian theory, an action is morally right if and only if
a. it makes the person who does it happy.
b. everyone prefers that action to any other action.
c. it maximizes total, net happiness.
d. it brings only happiness and causes no pain.
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 59
6. Utilitarians believe that
a. knowledge, friendship, and aesthetic satisfaction are intrinsically valuable (or inherently
good).
b. we can predict with certainty the future consequences of our actions.
c. an action that leads to unhappiness is morally right if any other action that you could have
performed instead would have brought about even more unhappiness.
d. an action can't be right if the people who are made happy by it are outnumbered by the
people who are made unhappy by it.
