Reference no: EM133301781

Assignment:

QUESTION 1. In Kellenberger's dialogue, the characters engage in a discussion about the nature of standard subjectivism. One problem they diagnose is that

a. Subjectivism cannot provide regularity in one's life
b. Our emotions are fragile and force us to be immoral
c. Many people will not care about moral issues
d. None of the above
2 points

QUESTION 2. The issue of human rights also comes up in the Kellenberger dialogue. The characters determine that if cultural relativism were true, then

a. All moral feelings would have no meaning
b. It would give us reasons to also defend standard subjectivism
c. There would be no such thing as universal human rights
d. None of the above
2 points

QUESTION 3. Ruth Benedict offers many examples of cultural differences in order to demonstrate that the concept of normality is culturally defined. On the basis of this observation, she concludes that

a. Normality has no meaning
b. Proper social behavior is unrelated to morality
c. The Kwakiutl are a sick race of people
d. Morality itself is culturally defined
2 points

QUESTION 4.  Cultural relativist like Benedict believes that there is at least one higher-order moral absolute.

True

False

QUESTION 5. Rachels argues that the Cultural Differences Argument is flawed. Even if someone tries to fix the argument, it would still be problematic for Rachels because

a. Obviously there are such things as moral absolutes
b. Differences in social behaviors do not prove that there are no universal values
c. All of our values are linked universally to human nature
d. All of the above
2 points

QUESTION 6. James Rachels agrees with Benedict that different cultures have different moral codes.

True

False

QUESTION 7. As discussed in the notes, even though the arguments are weak, one reason why someone might still want to be a cultural relativist would be because

a. They would be able to eat their dead relatives
b. Everyone agrees that there are no moral absolutes
c. Their understanding of morality would be progressive
d. They want to uphold a principle of tolerance

QUESTION 8. One consequence of accepting moral relativism is that

a. One would be able to avoid religious arguments
b. The idea of moral progress would be called into doubt
c. Arguments from tolerance would lose their meaning
d. None of the above

QUESTION 9. According to Ayn Rand, what is the false dichotomy of traditional ethics?

For Ayn Rand, egoism explains that issues of right and wrong are to be determined solely in accordance with

a. The Christian understanding of the golden rule
b. A rational hierarchy of values
c. A relative analysis of culture
d. The principle of beneficence

QUESTION 11. Rand contends that rebellion is the best option to combat traditional morality.

True

False

QUESTION 12. James Rachels rejects Rand's version of ethical egoism by pointing out that

a. Rand has been smoking too much crack
b. Rand's version of egoism is itself irrational
c. Rand constructs too extreme a picture of the ethics of altruism
d. Rand accepts a notion of emergency which is contrary to ethical egoism
2 points

QUESTION 13. Technically, egoism is an absolutist, teleological theory.

True

False

QUESTION 14. In an attempt to give a final, knock-down argument against egoism itself, Rachels contends that

a. Looking out for others is the only moral option we have
b. Egoists cannot rationally determine their own values
c. Egoists really want to benefit others, but just don't know it
d. None of the above

QUESTION 15. What are two methods used to derive ethical principles, according to Mill?

Mill explains that the morality of an action has little or nothing to do with

a. Having the proper intention or motive
b. Acting out of virtue or from duty
c. Logically determining the proper application of the moral law
d. All of the above

QUESTION 18. Mill thinks that the happiness which forms the utilitarian standard of what is right in conduct, is not the agent's own happiness alone.

True

False

QUESTION 19. In order to verify or test which pleasures are the better ones, Mill claims that we must

a. Do whatever feels good at the time
b. Consult both pigs and fools
c. Appeal to a group of competent judges
d. Consult reason to evaluate the apriori conditions

QUESTION 20. Nozick discusses the Experience Machine, and claims that we would not want to plug in because

a. We really prefer to get drunk instead
b. We prefer to be limited to a man-made reality
c. We want to be a certain kind of person, and not just imagine it
d. We would reject our own hierarchy of values if we plugged in

QUESTION 21. Nozick's analysis of the Experience Machine ultimately reveals that

a. God exists, but only in our minds
b. Pleasure is not the only thing we value
c. We can never know if we are really hooked up to the machine
d. All of the above

QUESTION 22. Sterling Harwood considers a variety of objections to utilitarianism. He believes that the objection that "utilitarianism is overly demanding," simply amounts to the claim that

a. Utilitarianism is extremely impartial
b. Morality itself ought to be abandoned
c. Morality is sometimes or often times difficult to live up to
d. Utilitarianism requires one to act contrary to the greatest end

QUESTION 23. Harwood believes that utilitarianism does not allow for acts of supererogation.

True

False

QUESTION 24. Mill claims that there is a qualitative difference between pleasures of sensation and pleasures of the intellect. Harwood argues that if we accept this distinction then

a. Utilitarianism is a pretty consistent theory
b. We need to still consult reason to judge what is good
c. Mill's distinction is incompatible with utilitarianism's main intrinsic value
d. All of the above

QUESTION 25. Both Harwood and Nozick think that people should stay permanently plugged into the Experience Machine.

True

False