Deck 13: Critical Thinking and Moral Reasoning

Question 1

According to the text, emotion and empathy play no role at all in moral deliberation.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In order to qualify as a moral argument, every premise must be a moral premise.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Universality is not the same property as impartiality.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Kant's moral theory is a version of utilitarianism.

Question 5

Bentham advocated the view known today as utilitarianism.

Question 6

A considered moral judgment is one that requires that we be considerate toward other people.

Question 7

Considered moral judgments are infallible.

Question 8

Plato maintained that some moral judgments can be supported by a priori reasoning alone.

Question 9

Utilitarianism is a general moral theory.

Question 10

Kant's moral theory is a general moral theory.

Question 11

Kant's moral theory requires the existence of a measurable unit of happiness.

Question 12

Bentham's theory requires the existence of a measurable unit of happiness.

Question 13

Bentham did not claim that every human being is intrinsically valuable.

Question 14

The fundamental principle in Kant's theory is known as the categorical imperative.

Question 15

The criteria of adequacy for moral theories are basically the same as the criteria for theories in general, including scientific theories.

Question 16

Rawls believes moral principles can be justified on the basis of reflective equilibrium.

Question 17

Robert Nozick argued for a libertarian theory of social justice.

Question 18

John Rawls wrote one of the most important works of political philosophy of the twentieth century.

Question 19

The text argued that feelings play no role at all in critical thinking.

Question 20

Kant argued that the right thing to do is that which will produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Question 21

Mill argued that utilitarian considerations count against the institution of slavery.

Question 22

During the nineteenth century, abolitionists argued against slavery on the basis of Kant's theory of ethics.

Question 23

Kant advocated the categorical imperative.

Question 24

Mill advocated the principle of utility.

Question 25

Justification via a priori reasoning is the top down method of justification.

Question 26

Justification via considered judgments is the bottom up method of justification.

Question 27

Considered judgments are infallible.

Question 28

Any reasonable person is capable of making considered judgments.

Question 29

Impartiality and universality are the same thing.

Question 30

A considered moral judgment is made quickly, the same as a snap judgment.

Question 31

Considered moral judgments are the product of reasoning.

Question 32

Considered moral judgments are made with deliberation and care.

Question 33

Considered moral judgments can be made in the heat of passion.

Question 34

These are the three criteria that every reasonable moral principle ought to satisfy:

A) Impartiality, kindness, and humaneness.
B) Impartiality, universality, and supported by reasons.
C) Universality, impeccability, precision.
D) Impartiality, universality, clarity.
E) Necessity, solidarity, consistency.

Question 35

Which of the following is not a principle or claim endorsed by Kant's theory:

A) Each person is intrinsically valuable, regardless of class, social status, religion, or ethnic origin.
B) Assessing the consequences of an action is not the way to determine what is morally right or wrong.
C) The right thing to do is always that which produces the greatest good for the greatest number, measured in the consequences of an action.
D) It is wrong to treat others as a means to your end or purpose, as if they are tools put on Earth for your selfish purposes.
E) All moral principles can be derived from one fundamental principle.

Question 36

Which of the following is a principle or claim endorsed by Bentham:

A) Each person is intrinsically valuable, regardless of class, social status, religion, or ethnic origin.
B) Assessing the consequences is not the way to determine what is morally right or wrong.
C) The right thing to do is always that which produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
D) It is wrong to treat others as a means to your end or purpose, as if they are tools put on Earth for your selfish purposes.

Question 37

Which of the following is required by Bentham's theory?

A) A way to measure quantities of happiness or pleasure.
B) A way to know God's will.
C) A way to predict the future with 100% accuracy.
D) A way to know what others are thinking.

Question 38

What is social justice? Use what you have learned in this chapter to propose a theory and to support it with a carefully reasoned moral argument.

Question 39

Which is morally preferable: Capitalism or socialism? Use what you have learned in this chapter to propose an answer and to support it with a carefully reasoned moral argument. Define your terms carefully! (What do you mean by capitalism? What do you mean by socialism?)

Question 40

Is free will required for moral responsibility? That is, if we do not have free will, would it follow that we are not morally responsible for what we choose and for what we do? Define your terms carefully. (What do you mean by free will? What do you mean by moral responsibility?) This question is a very advanced exercise.