Question 1

Aristotle developed the concept of:&#10;A) virtue ethics.&#10;B) utilitarianism.&#10;C) deontology.&#10;D) rationalism.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle is known for developing the concept of virtue ethics, which focuses on the development of moral character and emphasizes the importance of virtuous behavior rather than just following a set of rules or consequences. Utilitarianism and deontology are ethical theories developed by other philosophers, and rationalism is a philosophical belief system focused on reason and logic.

Question 2

During a hurricane, there is no electricity in a hospital where floodwater is rapidly rising. An ICU nurse manually ventilates a patient with an ambu bag for 6 hours before she makes the difficult decision to leave her patient and help the solitary remaining nurse carry 12 newborns to safety. The nurse's decision is most clearly supported by which of the following?

A) Deontology
B) Virtue ethics
C) Rationalism
D) Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

The nurse's decision is supported by utilitarianism, which is an ethical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people. In this scenario, the nurse chooses to help carry 12 newborns to safety, potentially saving more lives, rather than continuing to manually ventilate a single patient. This decision reflects a utilitarian approach to maximizing overall benefit.

Question 3

The intense and critical examination of beliefs and assumptions is:&#10;A) theory.&#10;B) ethics.&#10;C) philosophy.&#10;D) religion.

Accepted Answer

Philosophy is the study of fundamental and general questions, such as those related to existence, values, reason, mind, and knowledge. It involves intense and critical examination of beliefs and assumptions, and requires analyzing concepts and arguments using rational and logical methods. Ethics deals with moral principles and values, while religion involves beliefs, practices, and worship of a supernatural entity or entities. Theory, on the other hand, refers to a system of ideas or concepts used to explain a particular phenomenon or set of phenomena.

Question 4

A form of moral theory that embraces the uniqueness of cases, the culturally significant ethical features, and ethical judgement in each particular case is called:&#10;A) virtue ethics.&#10;B) naturalism.&#10;C) moral particularism.&#10;D) utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

Moral particularism is a theory that considers each ethical case as unique and emphasizes ethical judgement in each case based on its distinctive features. It recognizes that there are no general rules for morality, and the context and cultural values play a critical role in ethical decision-making. Virtue ethics emphasizes the role of virtues and character traits in ethical decision-making, while naturalism is the theory that ethical statements can be supported or rejected based on natural facts. Utilitarianism focuses on the maximization of overall happiness or pleasure.

Question 5

Who is considered to be the father of modern utilitarianism?&#10;A) Immaneul Kant&#10;B) Jeremy Bentham&#10;C) Plato&#10;D) John Stuart Mill

Accepted Answer

Jeremy Bentham is considered to be the father of modern utilitarianism. He developed the philosophy in the late 18th century, emphasizing the idea that actions should be judged based on their ability to bring about the greatest amount of happiness and minimize pain for the greatest number of people. His work laid the foundation for the utilitarianism movement and greatly influenced later philosophers, including John Stuart Mill.

Question 6

Beauchamp and Childress propose focal virtues that are more pivotal than others in characterizing a virtuous person. These focal virtues include (select all that apply):&#10;A) compassion.&#10;B) discernment.&#10;C) temperance.&#10;D) trustworthiness.&#10;E) integrity.

Accepted Answer

Beauchamp and Childress identify compassion, discernment, trustworthiness, and integrity as focal virtues that are essential in characterizing a virtuous person in the context of bioethics. Temperance is not specifically highlighted by them as a focal virtue.

Question 7

The belief that people can figure out absolute moral rules that derive from the universe or a supreme being is the basis for which moral perspective?&#10;A) Moral belief&#10;B) Rationalism&#10;C) Deontology&#10;D) Naturalism

Accepted Answer

The answer of The belief that people can figure out...

Question 8

Ethics is:&#10;A) a formal process of making illogical and consistent decisions based upon one's beliefs.&#10;B) a formal process of making logical and random decisions based upon moral beliefs.&#10;C) a formal process of making logical and consistent decisions based upon moral beliefs.&#10;D) a formal process of making logical and consistent decisions based upon religious beliefs.

Accepted Answer

Ethics is a formal process of making logical and consistent decisions based upon moral beliefs. It involves critical thinking and a systematic approach to analyze moral dilemmas and make sound decisions that align with one's moral values and principles. While religion can inform an individual's moral beliefs, ethics is not limited to or based solely on religious beliefs.

Question 9

The Kantian maxim requiring that one treat others always as ends and never as a means is known as:&#10;A) the categorical imperative.&#10;B) the practical imperative.&#10;C) deontology.&#10;D) utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

The practical imperative, as formulated by Immanuel Kant, emphasizes treating humanity, whether in oneself or in another, always as an end and never merely as a means. This principle is part of Kant's broader moral philosophy but is distinctively known as the practical imperative.

Question 10

Which of the following statements accurately describes ethics? Select all that apply.&#10;A) Ethics is concerned with the study of social morality and philosophical reflection about society's norms and practices.&#10;B) Ethics furnishes us with the practical application of moral philosophy.&#10;C) Ethics offers structured guidelines that tell us what we ought to do.&#10;D) The study of ethics gives us a groundwork for making logical and consistent decisions.&#10;E) Professional codes of ethics are tools that offer a formal process for applying moral philosophy.

Accepted Answer

A) Ethics is indeed concerned with the study of social morality and philosophical reflection about society's norms and practices.
B) Ethics provides practical application for moral philosophy.
C) Ethics does not necessarily offer structured guidelines. Rather, it provides a framework for discussing and analyzing moral decisions.
D) The study of ethics equips us with the tools to make logical and consistent decisions.
E) Professional codes of ethics are tools that offer a formal process for applying moral philosophy.

Question 11

The Kantian maxim requiring that no action be judged as right, which cannot reasonably become a law by which every person should always abide, is known as:&#10;A) the categorical imperative.&#10;B) the practical imperative.&#10;C) deontology.&#10;D) utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Kantian maxim requiring that no action...

Question 12

Abortion, even to save the life of the mother, would most likely be considered morally wrong by a person rigidly applying which type of moral theory?&#10;A) Deontology&#10;B) Virtue ethics&#10;C) Naturalism&#10;D) Utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

The answer of Abortion, even to save the life of...

Question 13

What theory is based on the rationalist view that the rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the nature of the act, rather than its consequence?&#10;A) Deontology&#10;B) Formalism&#10;C) Kantianism&#10;D) Act utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

The answer of What theory is based on the rationalist...

Question 14

____ attributes differences in moral codes to social conditions, while proposing that most people have underlying psychological tendencies that lead to similar moral judgments.&#10;A) Rationalism&#10;B) Naturalism&#10;C) Virtue ethics&#10;D) Deontology

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____ attributes differences in moral codes to...

Question 15

The nurse maintained confidentiality regarding a patient's terminal illness even though family members would have provided emotional and financial support to the patient had they known of the diagnosis. Adhering to this principle regardless of outcome is an example of the application of which ethical theory?

A) Deontology
B) Naturalism
C) Rationalism
D) Utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse maintained confidentiality regarding a patient's...

Deck 2: Ethical Theory