Introduction to Ethics - Introducing Utilitarianism Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass
Utilitarianism - Answers is the name given to any ethical theory that says something is good if, overall, it
brings about utility. This idea, that the goodness of something depends on how much utility it brings
about, is often called the utility principle.
Utilitarianism - Answers objectivist theory
Why is utilitarianism an objectivist or relativist theory? (b) - Answers a.)Utilitarianism is relativist
because people interpret utility and happiness in different ways.
b.)Utilitarianism is objectivist because it asserts that everyone should act to increase utility.
c.)Utilitarianism is relativist because anything that affects impulses is ethically relevant.
d.)Utilitarianism is objectivist because it categorizes actions as objectively right or objectively wrong.
For a utilitarian, which consideration is most important? (c) - Answers a.)The majority opinion on an
action
b.)The inherent goodness of an action
c.)The consequences of an action
d.)The values evidenced by an action
Which of the following considerations is important for a utilitarian when evaluating the morality of an
action? (c) - Answers a.)Whether the action is accepted by society
b.)Whether the action is wrong in and of itself
c.)How many people the action affects
d.)How the action will affect one's own growth
Permissibility and Impermissibility in Utilitarianism - Answers Permissibility: For a utilitarian, something
is permissible if it doesn't bring about an overall reduction in utility. Be careful here, though. This
doesn't mean that an action isn't allowed to bring about any reduction in utility. It only means that there
can't be an overall reduction in utility.
Impermissible: An act is only impermissible if there is an overall reduction in utility.
Types of Permissibility in Utilitarianism - Answers Obligatory: Imagine your friend asks to hide in your
house because there's a crazy killer after them. If the killer knocks on your door and asks if you've seen
them, then you should lie and say no. That's because lying will bring about greater utility in this situation
(a saved life is of greater utility than being honest to someone). This action is obligatory for the
utilitarian since you must do something if it will bring about an increase in utility.
, Neutral: By contrast, lying would be neutral for the utilitarian if it didn't either bring about an increase in
utility nor a decrease in utility.
EXAMPLE:
If someone starts telling you a story they really like to tell, but you've heard it before, you could not tell
them you've not heard it before and let them carry on. You would have lied to them, but it probably
neither brings about an increase or decrease in utility. That's because your mild discomfort in hearing
the story again is likely balanced out by their pleasure in telling the story.
Supererogatory: For a utilitarian, a supererogatory action is one that not only increases utility, but one
that produces the most utility possible. In other words, you would need to maximize utility.
EXAMPLE:
If you volunteer once a week at a kitchen for the homeless, this increases utility. But if you sacrificed all
your spare time to do this kind of volunteer work, then you would be producing the most utility you
could. Therefore, this would be a supererogatory action.
Application of Utilitarianism - Answers Imagine you're Superman. You use your superhuman gifts to help
those in need. But one day massive damage is done to your city because of your careless battling with
an enemy. You feel guilty for your negligence and quit your day job and all socializing in order to
dedicate all your time to helping people.
The actions would have been evaluated in the following way:
1. The act of using your superhuman gifts to help others is obligatory since it increases overall utility.
2. The consequence of your battle produces a significant decrease in utility (e.g. civilian casualties) and
thus your way of going about fighting your enemy is impermissible.
3. The act of sacrificing all your time for helping others is supererogatory because it maximizes utility.
Frank is considering donating the excess from a recent bonus to a local shelter instead of spending it on
himself. How would a utilitarian classify this action? (a) - Answers a.)Obligatory
b.)Supererogatory
Utilitarianism - Answers is the name given to any ethical theory that says something is good if, overall, it
brings about utility. This idea, that the goodness of something depends on how much utility it brings
about, is often called the utility principle.
Utilitarianism - Answers objectivist theory
Why is utilitarianism an objectivist or relativist theory? (b) - Answers a.)Utilitarianism is relativist
because people interpret utility and happiness in different ways.
b.)Utilitarianism is objectivist because it asserts that everyone should act to increase utility.
c.)Utilitarianism is relativist because anything that affects impulses is ethically relevant.
d.)Utilitarianism is objectivist because it categorizes actions as objectively right or objectively wrong.
For a utilitarian, which consideration is most important? (c) - Answers a.)The majority opinion on an
action
b.)The inherent goodness of an action
c.)The consequences of an action
d.)The values evidenced by an action
Which of the following considerations is important for a utilitarian when evaluating the morality of an
action? (c) - Answers a.)Whether the action is accepted by society
b.)Whether the action is wrong in and of itself
c.)How many people the action affects
d.)How the action will affect one's own growth
Permissibility and Impermissibility in Utilitarianism - Answers Permissibility: For a utilitarian, something
is permissible if it doesn't bring about an overall reduction in utility. Be careful here, though. This
doesn't mean that an action isn't allowed to bring about any reduction in utility. It only means that there
can't be an overall reduction in utility.
Impermissible: An act is only impermissible if there is an overall reduction in utility.
Types of Permissibility in Utilitarianism - Answers Obligatory: Imagine your friend asks to hide in your
house because there's a crazy killer after them. If the killer knocks on your door and asks if you've seen
them, then you should lie and say no. That's because lying will bring about greater utility in this situation
(a saved life is of greater utility than being honest to someone). This action is obligatory for the
utilitarian since you must do something if it will bring about an increase in utility.
, Neutral: By contrast, lying would be neutral for the utilitarian if it didn't either bring about an increase in
utility nor a decrease in utility.
EXAMPLE:
If someone starts telling you a story they really like to tell, but you've heard it before, you could not tell
them you've not heard it before and let them carry on. You would have lied to them, but it probably
neither brings about an increase or decrease in utility. That's because your mild discomfort in hearing
the story again is likely balanced out by their pleasure in telling the story.
Supererogatory: For a utilitarian, a supererogatory action is one that not only increases utility, but one
that produces the most utility possible. In other words, you would need to maximize utility.
EXAMPLE:
If you volunteer once a week at a kitchen for the homeless, this increases utility. But if you sacrificed all
your spare time to do this kind of volunteer work, then you would be producing the most utility you
could. Therefore, this would be a supererogatory action.
Application of Utilitarianism - Answers Imagine you're Superman. You use your superhuman gifts to help
those in need. But one day massive damage is done to your city because of your careless battling with
an enemy. You feel guilty for your negligence and quit your day job and all socializing in order to
dedicate all your time to helping people.
The actions would have been evaluated in the following way:
1. The act of using your superhuman gifts to help others is obligatory since it increases overall utility.
2. The consequence of your battle produces a significant decrease in utility (e.g. civilian casualties) and
thus your way of going about fighting your enemy is impermissible.
3. The act of sacrificing all your time for helping others is supererogatory because it maximizes utility.
Frank is considering donating the excess from a recent bonus to a local shelter instead of spending it on
himself. How would a utilitarian classify this action? (a) - Answers a.)Obligatory
b.)Supererogatory
