Deck 6: Nonconsequentialist Theories: Do Your Duty

Question 1

According to Aquinas,natural law is composed of the moral principles that we can "read" clearly in the very structure of nature itself,including human nature.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a common criticism of Kant's moral theory?

A) The notion that all categorical imperatives are absolute is contradicted by our considered moral judgments.
B) We can easily imagine situations in which we must choose between two allegedly perfect duties.
C) Because it is concerned primarily with the greatest good for the greatest number, it neglects the rights of the individual.
D) Its reliance on subjective judgment about what sort of principles should be universalizable leaves open the possibility of justifying heinous acts.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Kant's first version of the categorical imperative rests firmly on:

A) perfection
B) utility
C) universality
D) imperfect duties

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Categorical imperatives do not take into account our individual wants and needs.

Question 5

For Kant,to act with a good will is to:

A) act with a desire to do your duty simply because it is your duty
B) act with a desire to do your duty because it maximizes utility
C) take into account your desires and needs
D) act according to your natural inclinations

Question 6

Another term for a nonconsequentialist is:

A) a constructivist
B) a deontologist
C) an existentialist
D) a cognitivist

Question 7

According to Kant,all our duties can be derived from:

A) the Golden Rule
B) imperfect duties
C) perfect duties
D) the categorical imperative

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT one of the traditional requirements that must be met in order for an action that has bad and good effects to be permissible,according to the doctrine of double effect?

A) The action is inherently either morally good or morally neutral.
B) The bad effect is not used to produce the good effect.
C) The bad effect cannot harm more than one person.
D) The intention must always be to bring about the good effect.

Question 9

In natural law theory,the emphasis on reason makes morality:

A) independent of religion and belief in God
B) dependent on religion and belief in God
C) independent of perfect duties
D) dependent on consequences

Question 10

The idea that we must always treat people as ends in themselves,never merely as a means,is known as:

A) the Golden Rule
B) the categorical imperative
C) the means-end principle
D) the greatest-happiness principle

Question 11

According to natural law theory,the general principles of right and wrong vary from person to person and from culture to culture.

Question 12

Imperfect duties are always to be followed; there are no exceptions.

Question 13

Nonconsequentialist moral theories say that an action is right not because of what it produces,but:

A) because of who benefits from it
B) because of its consistency with other right actions
C) because of what that action is
D) because God ordained it

Question 14

The doctrine of double effect says that performing a good action may be permissible even if it has bad effects,but performing a bad action for the purpose of achieving good effects is never permissible.

Question 15

The means-ends principle maintains that:

A) we must always behave toward people to maximize their happiness
B) we must always treat people as ends in themselves, never merely as a means
C) we must never treat people as a means
D) we must treat people according to their wishes

Question 16

Kant thinks that criminals should be punished:

A) to promote the good of society
B) only because they committed crimes
C) to protect the public
D) to rehabilitate criminals

Question 17

The Golden Rule is identical to the means-end principle.

Question 18

According to Aquinas,right actions are those that accord with the natural law.

Question 19

For Kant,keeping a promise is a perfect duty.

Question 20

In Kant's theory,the rights and duties of persons override:

A) the moral law
B) the means-ends principle
C) absolutist principles
D) consequentialist concerns

Question 21

Natural law theorists maintain that some actions are always wrong.

Question 22

In general,intention plays a larger role in natural law theory than it does in Kant's categorical imperative.

Question 23

The teleological character of nature has been established by science.