Question 1

The environmental movement in the United States seeks to protect forests and other pristine lands. To most Americans, respecting natural lands and animals probably is consistent with their ethical system. In some other countries, laws protecting the lands do not exist. Farmers and ranchers routinely "slash and burn" in order to farm or raise livestock, and loggers harvest trees indiscriminately. There is no ethical dilemma, since their society accepts these practices as normal and necessary. Farmers, ranchers, and loggers in these countries engage in these practices because they deem it necessary to provide for their families. Because their focus is on providing for their families and communities, they are adhering to the ethical system known as:
A)ethics of care.
B)egoism.
C)psychological egoism.
D)golden mean.

Accepted Answer

The ethical system known as "ethics of care" emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and the needs of others, particularly those dependent on our care. In the context provided, farmers, ranchers, and loggers are primarily motivated by the need to provide for their families and communities, aligning their actions with the ethics of care, which prioritizes the well-being of those close to them over abstract principles.

Question 2

Mary is a newly hired police officer. One day, she observes two fellow officers removing drugs from the evidence room. Mary's values include a devotion to loyalty, so she is inclined to protect her fellow officers. At the same time, she also believes in upholding the law. Mary's situation is an example of:
A)an ethical dilemma.
B)cultural relativism.
C)universality.
D)Aristotle's "golden mean."

Accepted Answer

Mary is facing an ethical dilemma because she is torn between her loyalty to her fellow officers and her duty to uphold the law, which are conflicting ethical principles.

Question 3

Which religious system specifies that ethical conduct must be based on universal love and compassion for all living beings?
A)Buddhism
B)Judaism
C)Islam
D)Hinduism

Accepted Answer

Buddhism emphasizes universal love and compassion for all living beings as part of its ethical conduct, particularly through the practice of loving-kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna).

Question 4

Mary is a newly hired police officer. One day, she observes two fellow officers removing drugs from the evidence room. Mary's values include a devotion to loyalty, so she is inclined to protect her fellow officers. At the same time, she also believes in upholding the law. Mary's decision to report the crime had negative effects for the two officers involved, and for Mary personally. However, the rest of the community has benefited from the removal of corrupt police officers. A(n)______________ viewpoint would find this outcome to be ethical.
A)absolutist
B)utilitarian
C)egoist
D)imperative

Accepted Answer

A utilitarian viewpoint focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In this scenario, despite the negative effects on the individuals involved, the overall benefit to the community aligns with utilitarian ethics.

Question 5

George has always been a peaceful, law-abiding man, and he has raised his kids to be the same way. He donates to charitable causes and provides a comfortable life for his family. One night he takes his kids to a carnival and in the parking lot, they are confronted by an armed robber. The robber has a knife and threatens to harm one of George's kids if he does not hand over his wallet. As stated in the scenario, George donates to charity but still provides a comfortable life for his family. He has found a balance between the competing virtues of giving to the less fortunate while also ensuring that he provides for his family. This is an illustration of:
A)ethical formalism.
B)relativism.
C)situational ethics.
D)principle of the golden mean.

Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates the principle of the golden mean, which is about finding a balance between two extremes, in this case, the extremes of giving to others and providing for one's own family. George has managed to do both, embodying the golden mean by neither neglecting his family's needs nor ignoring the needs of the less fortunate.

Question 6

Which system suggests that there are no moral absolutes, and that what is deemed "good" and "bad" can be different from group to group?
A)Moral absolutism
B)Ethical relativism
C)Sub-cultural moralism
D)Global relativism

Accepted Answer

Ethical relativism posits that moral standards and ethics can vary between cultures or societies, and there are no absolute universal moral standards.

Question 7

The environmental movement in the United States seeks to protect forests and other pristine lands. To most Americans, respecting natural lands and animals probably is consistent with their ethical system. In some other countries, laws protecting the lands do not exist. Farmers and ranchers routinely "slash and burn" in order to farm or raise livestock, and loggers harvest trees indiscriminately. There is no ethical dilemma, since their society accepts these practices as normal and necessary. In America, state, federal, and local governments have enacted laws to protect forests from destruction. Through these laws, the overall community is protected, even though individuals may be negatively affected. By meeting the needs of the overall community, these laws exhibit:
A)principle of forfeiture.
B)principle of the golden mean.
C)hypothetical imperative.
D)utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

The laws enacted to protect forests in America, which aim to meet the needs of the overall community even at the expense of individual interests, exemplify utilitarianism. This principle is about achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people, which aligns with the intent of these environmental laws.

Question 8

Situational ethics is often used as a synonym for:
A)absolutism.
B)relativism.
C)formalism.
D)pluralism.

Accepted Answer

Situational ethics is a form of ethical relativism, which suggests that moral decisions should be based on the context of a particular situation rather than following absolute rules.

Question 9

George has always been a peaceful, law-abiding man, and he has raised his kids to be the same way. He donates to charitable causes and provides a comfortable life for his family. One night he takes his kids to a carnival and in the parking lot, they are confronted by an armed robber. The robber has a knife and threatens to harm one of George's kids if he does not hand over his wallet. George has always professed non-violence, but in this instance, he fights the robber to protect his child. Technically, by fighting, he is violating his moral belief that one should be non-violent. His decision to fight in this instance is an example of:
A)absolutism.
B)universality.
C)egoism.
D)situational ethics.

Accepted Answer

George's decision to fight the robber, despite his belief in non-violence, to protect his child is an example of situational ethics. This ethical theory suggests that the rightness or wrongness of an action is dependent on the context or situation rather than being absolute or universal.

Question 10

In this instance, their society's definitions differ from the American definitions. This is an example of:
A)deontology.
B)egoism.
C)cultural relativism.
D)absolutism.

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativism is the concept that beliefs, values, and practices are understood within their own cultural context, and thus can differ significantly between societies. This is why the differing definitions in their society compared to American definitions is an example of cultural relativism.

Question 11

Because ethical formalism requires moral behavior regardless of the circumstances, it can be considered a(n)________________ system.
A)theological
B)absolutist
C)legalist
D)relativist

Accepted Answer

Ethical formalism is an absolutist system because it posits that moral principles are universally applicable and should be followed regardless of the situation or consequences.

Question 12

Altruistic acts that benefit the individual by ensuring reciprocal assistance reflect:
A)enlightened egoism.
B)altruistic egoism.
C)psychological egoism.
D)religious egoism.

Accepted Answer

Enlightened egoism suggests that individuals perform altruistic acts with the understanding that these acts will ultimately benefit them, often through reciprocal assistance or goodwill from others. This concept aligns with the idea of doing good with the expectation of eventually receiving benefits in return.

Question 13

____________ suggests that what is good for one's survival and personal happiness is moral.
A)Altruism
B)Narcissism
C)Egoism
D)Philanthropy

Accepted Answer

Egoism is the ethical theory that suggests what is good for one's own survival and personal happiness is considered moral. It emphasizes self-interest as the foundation of morality.

Question 14

George has always been a peaceful, law-abiding man, and he has raised his kids to be the same way. He donates to charitable causes and provides a comfortable life for his family. One night he takes his kids to a carnival and in the parking lot, they are confronted by an armed robber. The robber has a knife and threatens to harm one of George's kids if he does not hand over his wallet. A deontological response to the situation would require George to:
A)remain passive, regardless of the consequences.
B)consider the wishes of the robber as well as his own.
C)fight hard against the robber, regardless of the injury he might inflict.
D)only be concerned with protecting himself.

Accepted Answer

Deontological ethics focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, rather than the consequences of those actions. Remaining passive and not engaging in violence aligns with a strict deontological approach that prioritizes moral principles over the outcomes of actions.

Question 15

Which ethical system embraces human's inclination for self-preservation?
A)Ethical formalism
B)Natural law
C)Ethics of care
D)Ethics of virtue

Accepted Answer

Natural law theory suggests that humans have inherent values, including self-preservation, which are understood through reason. This ethical system believes that certain rights and morals are inherent in human nature and can be discerned through human reason.

Question 16

The concept that there are fundamental truths that may dictate different definitions of what is moral in different situations is called:
A)moral pluralism.
B)utilitarianism.
C)ethical formalism.
D)natural law.

Accepted Answer

Moral pluralism is the concept that there are multiple moral standpoints which can be valid and applicable in various situations, acknowledging that different cultures, societies, or individuals might have different but equally legitimate definitions of what is moral.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about the principle of forfeiture is false?
A)It holds that people who treat others as means to an end forfeit the right to protection of their own freedom and well-being.
B)It holds that people who aggress forfeit their own right to be protected from harm.
C)It holds that self-defense is morally unacceptable.
D)It holds that lying to a person who threatens harm is acceptable.

Accepted Answer

The principle of forfeiture generally supports the idea that individuals may lose their rights to not be harmed if they initiate harm against others, thereby justifying actions like self-defense or deception in the face of aggression. It does not claim that self-defense is morally unacceptable; rather, it provides a moral foundation for self-defense under certain conditions.

Question 18

George has always been a peaceful, law-abiding man, and he has raised his kids to be the same way. He donates to charitable causes and provides a comfortable life for his family. One night he takes his kids to a carnival and in the parking lot, they are confronted by an armed robber. The robber has a knife and threatens to harm one of George's kids if he does not hand over his wallet. A teleological response to the situation would require George to:
A)remain passive, regardless of the consequences.
B)pray for guidance.
C)fight hard against the robber, regardless of the injury he might inflict.
D)only be concerned with protecting himself.

Accepted Answer

A teleological approach focuses on the consequences of actions rather than the actions themselves. In this scenario, fighting hard against the robber to protect his children aligns with a teleological perspective, as it prioritizes the outcome (the safety of his children) over the nature of the action (engaging in violence).

Question 19

Mary is a newly hired police officer. One day, she observes two fellow officers removing drugs from the evidence room. Mary's values include a devotion to loyalty, so she is inclined to protect her fellow officers. At the same time, she also believes in upholding the law. Mary decides to report the crime that she observed, even though it will mean that her fellow officers will lose their jobs and might also be prosecuted. She has decided that the other officers brought this upon themselves; they were originally worthy of her loyalty, but lost that loyalty through their own actions. This illustrates:
A)ethical formalism.
B)egoism.
C)principle of forfeiture.
D)principle of the golden mean.

Accepted Answer

Mary's decision is based on the principle of forfeiture, which suggests that individuals lose their right to be treated in a certain way (in this case, with loyalty) due to their own wrongful actions. By engaging in illegal activities, the fellow officers forfeited their right to Mary's loyalty.

Question 20

Someone who gives to charity or volunteers for the purpose of creating emotional pleasure for himself is exhibiting:
A)enlightened egoism.
B)altruistic egoism.
C)psychological egoism.
D)religious egoism.

Accepted Answer

Psychological egoism is the theory that all human actions are motivated by self-interest, even when they appear to be altruistic. In this case, the individual is volunteering or giving to charity for the emotional pleasure it brings them, which aligns with the concept of psychological egoism.

Quiz 2: Determining Moral Behavior

Which religious system specifies that ethical conduct must be based on universal love and compassion for all living beings?

Which system suggests that there are no moral absolutes, and that what is deemed "good" and "bad" can be different from group to group?

Situational ethics is often used as a synonym for:

In this instance, their society's definitions differ from the American definitions. This is an example of:

Because ethical formalism requires moral behavior regardless of the circumstances, it can be considered a(n) ________________ system.

Altruistic acts that benefit the individual by ensuring reciprocal assistance reflect:

____________ suggests that what is good for one's survival and personal happiness is moral.

Which ethical system embraces human's inclination for self-preservation?

The concept that there are fundamental truths that may dictate different definitions of what is moral in different situations is called:

Which of the following statements about the principle of forfeiture is false?

Someone who gives to charity or volunteers for the purpose of creating emotional pleasure for himself is exhibiting: