Deck 5: Consequentialist Theories: Maximize the Good

Question 1

Which two philosophers are generally credited with developing the theory of utilitarianism?

A) René Descartes and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
B) Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
C) Immanuel Kant and G. W. F. Hegel
D) David Hume and Adam Smith

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Critics charge that act-utilitarianism's most serious problem is that it conflicts with commonsense views about:

A) love
B) utility
C) justice
D) happiness

Answer 2

C

Question 3

A major criticism of ethical egoism is that it:

A) is not consistent with cultural norms
B) does not maximize utility
C) is consistent with selfish acts
D) is not consistent with our considered moral judgments

Answer 3

D

Question 4

An ethical egoist does whatever she desires to do or whatever gives her the most immediate pleasure.

Question 5

A major problem with utilitarianism is that it does not promote human welfare.

Question 6

What matters most in act-utilitarianism is how much net happiness comes directly from performing an action,as opposed to following a rule that applies to such actions.

Question 7

Self-interest is a pillar on which the economic system of capitalism is built.

Question 8

Psychological egoism is a scientific theory,not a moral theory.

Question 9

To achieve happiness,we must pursue other aims,the pursuit of which yields happiness as a by-product.

Question 10

John Stuart Mill's conception of happiness is more or less identical to Jeremy Bentham's.

Question 11

An act-utilitarian could conceivably conclude that the killing of one innocent person to save the lives of a thousand other people is a morally acceptable action.

Question 12

An important criticism of act-utilitarianism is that it is often inconsistent with our considered judgments about justice.

Question 13

Act-utilitarianism fails Criterion 2 (consistency with our moral experience).

Question 14

Utilitarianism incorporates the principle of impartiality.

Question 15

Critics of rule-utilitarianism say that:

A) its rules are too demanding
B) it collapses into act-utilitarianism
C) it is no different than Kantian ethics
D) rules cannot be formulated

Question 16

One response that act-utilitarians make to the "no-rest problem" is that:

A) we need not try to maximize utility for literally everyone considered
B) our moral common sense is never mistaken
C) we should be willing to perform, as our duty, many actions that are usually considered supererogatory
D) we have no moral duties at all

Question 17

Ethical egoism is the theory that:

A) selfishness is the whole of morality
B) the right action is the one that advances one's own best interests
C) the right action is the one that maximizes pleasure for oneself
D) the right action is the one that maximizes happiness for everyone concerned

Question 18

The primary argument for ethical egoism:

A) depends heavily on psychological egoism
B) depends heavily on act-utilitarianism
C) is the argument from selfishness
D) is the argument from false altruism

Question 19

Act-utilitarianism is the theory that:

A) the morally right action is the one covered by a rule that, if generally followed, would produce the most favorable balance of good over evil, everyone considered
B) right actions are those that directly produce the greatest overall good, everyone considered
C) right actions are those that advance one's own best interests
D) right actions are those that conform to our moral intuitions

Question 20

Utilitarianism reminds us that the consequences of our actions do indeed make a difference in our moral deliberations.