Question 1

A weakness of nonconsequentialists is that they try to avoid

Accepted Answer

Nonconsequentialists focus on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, rather than the outcomes of those actions, which can lead to ignoring the consequences of their rules or acts.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of non-consequentialist ethical theories?

Accepted Answer

Non-consequentialist ethical theories, also known as deontological theories, focus on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions, rather than the outcomes of those actions. Intuitionism, Divine Command, Deontological Ethics, and Prima Facie Ethics all fall under this category because they emphasize duties, moral rules, or the intrinsic value of actions over the consequences of those actions.

Question 3

Who believes that reasoning in moral matters is usually used to confirm our more direct sense of right and wrong?

Accepted Answer

Intuitionists believe that our moral judgments are often the result of direct moral intuitions, and that reasoning is typically used to justify these intuitive judgments rather than to arrive at them.

Question 4

One of the most significant difficulties with prima facie duties is that it is difficult to establish which of them has priority over the others when there is conflict between two or more of them.

Accepted Answer

Prima facie duties often conflict with one another, and one of the main challenges is determining which duty should take precedence in such situations, as there is no universally accepted method for resolving these conflicts.

Question 5

On Kant's view, the ends can justify the means.

Accepted Answer

Kant's ethical theory is deontological, meaning it emphasizes duty and the inherent morality of actions themselves rather than their outcomes. According to Kant, an action is morally right only if it is done in accordance with a moral rule or principle, regardless of the consequences.

Question 6

Divine Command Theory is the view that self-interest, consequences, and motives are lower forms of ethical decision-making and therefore insufficient for ethical theory.

Accepted Answer

Divine Command Theory holds that the only true source of morality is the will of God, and that all other forms of ethical decision-making are inferior.

Question 7

According to Kant, the only thing that is good without qualification is

Accepted Answer

According to Immanuel Kant, the only thing that is good without qualification is a good will. He argues that a good will is inherently good, regardless of the outcomes it produces.

Question 8

Who said that making a promise was self evidently to create a moral claim on us?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant argued that making a promise is a moral act that creates a moral claim on us, emphasizing the importance of duty and the categorical imperative in moral philosophy.

Question 9

Which is a complaint often made against intuitionism?

Accepted Answer

Intuitionism posits that moral truths are known intuitively, but a common criticism is the lack of empirical evidence or proof for an innate moral sense, making it difficult to substantiate the claim that moral knowledge is inherent.

Question 10

For a Divine Command Theorist, the demands of a higher authority can be mitigated by human self-interest, concern for consequences, or human motivations.

Accepted Answer

For a Divine Command Theorist, moral obligations are determined solely by the commands of a divine authority, and human self-interest, concern for consequences, or motivations are not considered valid reasons to mitigate these divine commands.

Question 11

What is a presumed strength of Divine Command Theory?

Accepted Answer

Divine Command Theory posits that moral standards are grounded in the commands or character of a divine being, thus providing a standard that transcends human reasoning and subjective moral perspectives. This is considered a strength because it offers an objective basis for morality outside of human opinion or consensus.

Question 12

"If it feels good do it" is a popular slogan associated with which moral theory?

Accepted Answer

The slogan "If it feels good, do it" aligns with Egoism, a moral theory suggesting that actions are morally right if they benefit the self. This slogan emphasizes personal pleasure or benefit as a guide for decision-making, which is a core principle of Egoism.

Question 13

Nonconsequentialist theories of morality are based on a range of factors including the ends of our actions.

Accepted Answer

Nonconsequentialist theories of morality focus on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, rather than the outcomes or ends of those actions.

Question 14

Intuitionists believe that each of us has an immediate sense of right and wrong.

Accepted Answer

Intuitionists argue that moral judgments are often made through immediate intuition, suggesting that individuals have an innate sense of right and wrong that does not require inferential reasoning.

Question 15

The categorical imperative for Kant demands that you must follow absolute rules.

Accepted Answer

The categorical imperative, according to Immanuel Kant, is a foundational concept in his moral philosophy that requires individuals to act according to maxims that can be universally applied as absolute rules, regardless of personal desires or circumstances.

Question 16

Rule nonconsequentialism is the belief that only the rules of God are moral.

Accepted Answer

Rule nonconsequentialism is a moral theory that suggests the rightness or wrongness of actions does not depend on their consequences but on whether they conform to a set of rules. These rules are not necessarily derived from theistic beliefs.

Question 17

The great Immanuel Kant thought that our inclinations were the best guide for morals.

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant argued that moral actions are determined by duty and reason, not by inclinations or desires. He believed that moral principles should be universal and based on rationality, rather than on personal preferences or emotions.

Question 18

Who said that if you can't universalize your action then it is not moral?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, proposed the idea that an action is only moral if it can be universalized. This concept is a key aspect of his deontological ethical theory, particularly in the formulation of the Categorical Imperative.

Question 19

"Prima facie" duties are those duties that have no real obligation on us.

Accepted Answer

"Prima facie" duties are those that appear to be obligatory at first glance unless they are overridden by a more compelling duty in a particular context.

Question 20

Which of the following is a strength of nonconsequentialist approaches?

Accepted Answer

Nonconsequentialist approaches, such as deontological ethics, base moral judgments on principles or rules that are considered inherently right or wrong, regardless of the outcomes. This approach emphasizes the intrinsic value of actions over their consequences.

Quiz 3: Nonconsequentialist Deontologicaltheories of Morality