Ethical thought + Utilitarianism

Question 1

What is divine command theory?

Answer 1

A moral theory that asserts that an action is right if it is commanded by God.

Question 2

True or False: Divine command theory states that morality is independent of God.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: According to divine command theory, moral obligations arise from __________.

Answer 3

God’s commands

Question 4

What is a key criticism of divine command theory?

Answer 4

It raises questions about the nature of God’s commands and whether they are arbitrary.

Question 5

What is virtue theory?

Answer 5

An ethical theory that emphasizes the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy.

Question 6

Which philosopher is most closely associated with virtue theory?

Answer 6

Aristotle

Question 7

True or False: Virtue theory focuses primarily on the consequences of actions.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

Fill in the blank: In virtue theory, a moral person is someone who possesses __________.

Answer 8

virtues

Question 9

What is ethical egoism?

Answer 9

The moral theory that suggests individuals should act in their own self-interest.

Question 10

True or False: Ethical egoism promotes the interests of others above one’s own interests.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of ethical egoism? (A) Altruism (B) Self-interest (C) Community focus

Answer 11

B

Question 12

What is a common criticism of ethical egoism?

Answer 12

It can lead to a lack of concern for the welfare of others.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: Ethical egoism differs from psychological egoism in that it is a __________ theory.

Answer 13

normative

Question 14

What is the main focus of virtue ethics?

Answer 14

The development of good character traits or virtues.

Question 15

True or False: Virtue ethics is primarily concerned with rules and regulations.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT considered a virtue in virtue ethics? (A) Honesty (B) Greed (C) Courage

Answer 16

B

Question 17

What is the ‘Golden Mean’ in Aristotle’s virtue ethics?

Answer 17

The desirable middle ground between two extremes of excess and deficiency.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: In divine command theory, morality is often linked to __________.

Answer 18

religious beliefs

Question 19

What role do emotions play in virtue ethics?

Answer 19

Emotions are important in developing virtues and moral character.

Question 20

True or False: Ethical egoism can justify actions that harm others if it benefits the individual.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What is the relationship between virtue ethics and moral dilemmas?

Answer 21

Virtue ethics aims to cultivate a character that can navigate moral dilemmas effectively.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: Divine command theory is often associated with __________ ethics.

Answer 22

theological

Question 23

What is one implication of ethical egoism on social policies?

Answer 23

It may lead to policies that prioritize individual rights over collective welfare.

Question 24

Which ethical theory emphasizes the importance of intention behind actions?

Answer 24

Virtue theory

Question 25

True or False: According to virtue ethics, the right action is determined solely by its consequences.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

What is a potential benefit of ethical egoism?

Answer 26

It can promote personal responsibility and self-care.

Question 27

What is the main principle of utilitarianism?

Answer 27

The greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Question 28

Who is considered the founder of utilitarianism?

Answer 28

Jeremy Bentham.

Question 29

True or False: Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism.

Answer 29

True.

Question 30

What does utilitarianism evaluate to determine the morality of an action?

Answer 30

The consequences of the action.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism is often referred to as _____ utilitarianism.

Answer 31

act

Question 32

Who expanded on Bentham's ideas and introduced the concept of qualitative differences in pleasures?

Answer 32

John Stuart Mill.

Question 33

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a key concept of utility? A) Wealth B) Happiness C) Power

Answer 33

B) Happiness

Question 34

What term did Mill use to describe higher pleasures?

Answer 34

Intellectual pleasures.

Question 35

True or False: Utilitarianism supports the idea of sacrificing individual rights for the majority's happiness.

Answer 35

True.

Question 36

What is the 'hedonic calculus'?

Answer 36

A method proposed by Bentham to measure the pleasure and pain generated by an action.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: Mill argued that _____ pleasures are superior to mere physical pleasures.

Answer 37

intellectual

Question 38

What is the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism?

Answer 38

Act utilitarianism assesses each action individually, while rule utilitarianism evaluates the consequences of following general rules.

Question 39

Who argued that utilitarianism could lead to unjust outcomes?

Answer 39

John Stuart Mill.

Question 40

Multiple Choice: Which philosopher stated 'It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied'? A) Bentham B) Mill C) Kant

Answer 40

B) Mill

Question 41

What is 'preference utilitarianism'?

Answer 41

A form of utilitarianism that considers the satisfaction of individual preferences as the basis for moral actions.

Question 42

True or False: Utilitarianism is concerned only with the happiness of the majority.

Answer 42

False.

Question 43

Fill in the blank: Bentham's principle of utility is often summarized as 'the greatest _____ for the greatest number.'

Answer 43

happiness

Question 44

What is a major criticism of utilitarianism?

Answer 44

It can justify immoral actions if they result in a net increase in happiness.

Question 45

Who introduced the distinction between higher and lower pleasures?

Answer 45

John Stuart Mill.

Question 46

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of utilitarianism? A) Consequentialism B) Deontology C) Hedonism

Answer 46

B) Deontology

Question 47

What is the 'utility principle'?

Answer 47

The idea that actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite.

Question 48

True or False: Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory.

Answer 48

True.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: Mill's work, 'Utilitarianism,' was published in the year _____

Answer 49

1863

Question 50

What does 'greatest happiness principle' signify in utilitarianism?

Answer 50

It signifies that actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 51

Who said, 'The only proof that an opinion is right is that it is conducive to the happiness of all concerned'?

Answer 51

John Stuart Mill.

Question 52

Multiple Choice: What is a common objection to utilitarianism? A) It is too rigid B) It overlooks individual rights C) It is too complicated

Answer 52

B) It overlooks individual rights

Question 53

What is the 'principle of equal consideration' in utilitarianism?

Answer 53

The idea that everyone's happiness should be considered equally in moral decision-making.

Question 54

True or False: Utilitarianism can provide a clear method for resolving moral dilemmas.

Answer 54

True.

Question 55

Fill in the blank: Bentham believed that all pleasures could be measured using the _____ calculus.

Answer 55

hedonic

Question 56

What is 'negative utilitarianism'?

Answer 56

A form of utilitarianism that prioritizes reducing suffering over increasing happiness.

Question 57

Who argued that utilitarianism is a 'method of ethics' rather than a complete ethical theory?

Answer 57

John Stuart Mill.

Question 58

Multiple Choice: Which philosopher's utilitarianism is more focused on qualitative aspects of happiness? A) Bentham B) Mill C) Kant

Answer 58

B) Mill

Question 59

What does 'utilitarian calculus' involve?

Answer 59

Assessing the potential happiness and suffering an action may cause.

Question 60

True or False: According to utilitarianism, the moral rightness of an action is determined by its intent.

Answer 60

False.

Question 61

Fill in the blank: The utilitarian approach is often summarized by the phrase 'the _____ of the many.'

Answer 61

happiness

Question 62

What is the primary focus of utilitarian ethics?

Answer 62

Maximizing overall happiness and minimizing suffering.

Question 63

Who is associated with the phrase 'the greatest good for the greatest number'?

Answer 63

Jeremy Bentham.

Question 64

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of a utilitarian calculation? A) Choosing to save one person over five B) Assessing the total happiness produced by a law C) Following a religious doctrine

Answer 64

B) Assessing the total happiness produced by a law

Question 65

True or False: Utilitarianism can be applied to both individual actions and societal policies.

Answer 65

True.

Question 66

Fill in the blank: The idea that actions should be judged based on their outcomes is known as _____ ethics.

Answer 66

consequentialist

Question 67

What philosophical movement is utilitarianism a part of?

Answer 67

Ethical theory.

Question 68

Who provided a significant defense of utilitarianism in the 19th century?

Answer 68

John Stuart Mill.