Question 1

In contrast to a society that utilizes a social contract,Hobbes believed that people in ________ lived a life that was "solitary,poore,nasty,brutish,and short."
A) emerging constitutional republics
B) preliterate cultures
C) nihilistic societies
D) the state of nature

Accepted Answer

Hobbes believed that in the state of nature, without a social contract or government, people would be in a constant state of war and violence as they competed for resources and power. He described this life as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Question 2

Koko is a gorilla that has spent most of her life in northern California with researcher Francine Patterson.Koko is reported to use more than a thousand words in sign language.Her apparent high cognitive ability poses which challenge to social contract theory?
A) deciding who is party to the contract
B) self-interest versus group preservation
C) interest deferral
D) the veil of ignorance

Accepted Answer

Koko's high cognitive ability challenges the social contract theory's requirement to decide who is party to the contract. As Koko can communicate and understand complex ideas, it raises questions about whether gorillas or other non-human animals should be considered as members of the social contract.

Question 3

In Harry Turtledove's "The Last Article," he imagines an alternative history wherein a victorious Nazi Germany invades India.In this hypothetical situation,what moral guidance would Gandhi emphasize?
A) We should return to a Hobbesian precontract state.
B) The preservation of self-interest is paramount.
C) True independence comes through conflict.
D) We must consider the position of the other.

Accepted Answer

Gandhi was known for his emphasis on nonviolence and understanding the perspective of others. In a situation where a violent and oppressive regime like Nazi Germany has invaded India, Gandhi would likely encourage his followers to resist the invasion peacefully while also considering the position of the enemy soldiers and leaders. This would involve showing compassion and empathy towards them, even while opposing their actions. Therefore, the best choice for Gandhi's moral guidance in this hypothetical situation would be D) We must consider the position of the other.

Question 4

In ancient Athens,who were the Sophists?
A) immigrants from the Macedonian province of Sopa
B) paid teachers of argumentation
C) lawyers who developed the first constitution in the Western tradition
D) apprentice educators who would engage in arguments in the marketplace

Accepted Answer

Sophists were paid teachers of rhetoric and argumentation in ancient Athens. They taught their students how to argue effectively and make persuasive speeches.

Question 5

Utilitarian moralities call for the maximization of happiness.Different studies attempt to report on which countries are among the happiest.Discuss the difficulties for utilitarianism that different results in these studies display.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Utilitarian moralities call for the maximization of...

Question 6

We often will accept some discomfort in order to later be able to be more comfortable than our current state.For example,one might consent to having a root canal.Discuss how utilitarianism understands this acceptance of pain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of We often will accept some discomfort in...

Question 7

Rousseau criticizes the impact of social contract theory by pointing to what?
A) that the theory will lead to hedonism
B) that different societies have different social practices
C) that the contract is purely hypothetical
D) that the social contract favors the interests of the wealthy and powerful over others

Accepted Answer

Rousseau criticizes social contract theory for favoring the interests of the wealthy and powerful over others. He argues that the contract is meant to establish a society where equality exists, but instead it perpetuates existing inequalities by creating a society that benefits the powerful and wealthy.

Question 8

Bernard Williams considers in his writings the utilitarian possibilities for George,who has a PhD in Chemistry but is unable to find a job other than working in a weapons laboratory.As a pacifist,George would prefer not to do such work,but he has a number of familial and fiscal reasons to take the job.Using the utilitarian understanding of morality,discuss if George should take the job.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bernard Williams considers in his writings the...

Question 9

The MOST significant advantage of Rawls's approach to social contract theory is which of the following?
A) It evokes a hypothetical self-interest of the potentially worse off as a driver for acceptance of the contract.
B) It responds to Gandhi's desire for a compassionate social contract.
C) It is grounded in an expectation that all understand systemic injustices.
D) It addresses the weakness of the public goods problem.

Accepted Answer

Rawls's approach emphasizes the importance of the "veil of ignorance," in which individuals must imagine themselves as potentially worse off in society and design a social contract that takes into account their self-interest as disadvantaged individuals. This drives acceptance of the contract and ensures a fair and just distribution of resources.

Question 10

In this chapter,the author addresses the common view that morality and ethics are to be distinguished.According to this view,what does this distinction entail?
A) Ethics is religiously based,while morality is secular.
B) Morality is about group dynamics;ethics is about individual actions.
C) Ethics often involves codes of professional conduct.
D) Moral theories come from a French tradition,while ethical theories come from a Greco-Roman one.

Accepted Answer

The author explains that the common view is that ethics often involves codes of professional conduct, suggesting that there is a distinction between ethics and professional conduct on one hand and morality on the other. The other answer choices are not supported by the author in this chapter.

Question 11

The consideration of other people's points of view before making moral decisions is MOST closely aligned with which of the following approaches?
A) Sophists' rhetorical devices
B) Turnbull's Ik people
C) Hobbes's "brutish" society
D) Rawls's veil of ignorance

Accepted Answer

Rawls's veil of ignorance involves individuals considering moral decisions without knowledge of their own individual characteristics or positions in society, allowing for consideration of others' points of view. The other options do not directly relate to considering others' perspectives in moral decision-making.

Question 12

Mill argues for the desirability of utilitarian ethics by pointing to people actually desiring it.Briefly discuss why you do or do not find his argument persuasive.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mill argues for the desirability of utilitarian...

Question 13

Briefly discuss how Mill's utilitarianism leads him to advocate for women's rights.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly discuss how Mill's utilitarianism leads him...

Question 14

Imagine that a new performance-enhancing drug was developed that would greatly increase an athlete's ability to perform his or her sport.What can the prisoner's dilemma tell him or her about the possible use of the drug?
A) The best short-term outcome is for another to use the drug.
B) The best long-term outcome is if no one uses the drug.
C) The best short-term outcome is for everyone to use the drug.
D) The best long-term outcome is for everyone to use the drug.

Accepted Answer

If the athlete chooses to use the performance-enhancing drug, they may win in the short-term by outperforming their competitors, but in the long-term, the use of the drug could lead to health problems and sanctions from sports organizations. If all athletes use the drug, it could lead to a "arms race" in which athletes are forced to continually increase their dosage to stay competitive, leading to even more health risks. Therefore, the best long-term outcome is for no one to use the drug, as it would put everyone on an even playing field and avoid the potential negative consequences.

Question 15

Charles Mills believes that it is possible to construct a social contract that is fair to all races.

Accepted Answer

Charles Mills argues in his book "The Racial Contract" that a fair social contract can include all races, but it requires recognition and dismantling of white supremacy and systemic racism.

Question 16

Rawls provides for a hypothetical contract theory that he believes should be undertaken from
A) a historical analysis.
B) behind the veil of ignorance.
C) outside the original position.
D) a position of instrumental value.

Accepted Answer

Rawls advocates for a hypothetical contract theory where the agreement is made from behind the veil of ignorance, meaning that individuals do not know what their social status, wealth, or abilities will be in society. This allows for a fair and unbiased agreement to be made regarding the principles of justice.

Question 17

Imagine two neighboring cultures,one of which favors minimal consumption of natural resources while the other favors the rapid development of industry.If these cultures were to be bound in a social contract,they would have to address what issue?
A) the problem of opposed interests
B) the problem of scarce resources
C) the difficulty of cross-cultural contracts
D) the instability of resources

Accepted Answer

The issue they would have to address is the problem of opposed interests, as one culture prioritizes minimal consumption of natural resources while the other prioritizes rapid industrial development, leading to conflicting goals and interests.

Quiz 7: The Social Contract

In contrast to a society that utilizes a social contract,Hobbes believed that people in ________ lived a life that was "solitary,poore,nasty,brutish,and short."

Koko is a gorilla that has spent most of her life in northern California with researcher Francine Patterson.Koko is reported to use more than a thousand words in sign language.Her apparent high cognitive ability poses which challenge to social contract theory?

In Harry Turtledove's "The Last Article," he imagines an alternative history wherein a victorious Nazi Germany invades India.In this hypothetical situation,what moral guidance would Gandhi emphasize?

In ancient Athens,who were the Sophists?

Utilitarian moralities call for the maximization of happiness.Different studies attempt to report on which countries are among the happiest.Discuss the difficulties for utilitarianism that different results in these studies display.

We often will accept some discomfort in order to later be able to be more comfortable than our current state.For example,one might consent to having a root canal.Discuss how utilitarianism understands this acceptance of pain.

Rousseau criticizes the impact of social contract theory by pointing to what?

The MOST significant advantage of Rawls's approach to social contract theory is which of the following?

In this chapter,the author addresses the common view that morality and ethics are to be distinguished.According to this view,what does this distinction entail?

The consideration of other people's points of view before making moral decisions is MOST closely aligned with which of the following approaches?

Mill argues for the desirability of utilitarian ethics by pointing to people actually desiring it.Briefly discuss why you do or do not find his argument persuasive.

Briefly discuss how Mill's utilitarianism leads him to advocate for women's rights.

Imagine that a new performance-enhancing drug was developed that would greatly increase an athlete's ability to perform his or her sport.What can the prisoner's dilemma tell him or her about the possible use of the drug?

Charles Mills believes that it is possible to construct a social contract that is fair to all races.

Rawls provides for a hypothetical contract theory that he believes should be undertaken from

Imagine two neighboring cultures,one of which favors minimal consumption of natural resources while the other favors the rapid development of industry.If these cultures were to be bound in a social contract,they would have to address what issue?