Question 1

The theory that says to determine right action you must apply the egoistic principle to individual acts is called:

Accepted Answer

The theory that says to determine right action you must apply the egoistic principle to individual acts is called act-egoism. This means an action is morally right if it promotes the individual's own best interests, regardless of the effect on others. Rule-egoism, on the other hand, focuses on promoting rules that promote the individual's best interests, while Kantian egoism is grounded in the principle of self-interest, but also recognizes the importance of treating others as ends in themselves. Nonconsequentialist egoism argues that actions are morally right if they follow a set of moral guidelines or principles, rather than if they promote the individual's own interests.

Question 2

Some utilitarians respond to the charge that act-utilitarianism conflicts with common moral intuitions by:

Accepted Answer

Some utilitarians argue that in cases where act-utilitarianism conflicts with common moral intuitions, it is the intuitions that should be revised or rejected, not the utilitarian principle. They maintain that the ultimate test of a moral theory is its ability to promote the greatest good, even if this means challenging established moral beliefs.

Question 3

A true ethical egoist chooses actions that:

Accepted Answer

A true ethical egoist believes that individuals should always act out of self-interest. The actions chosen would prioritize promoting their own self-interests above all else.

Question 4

Suppose you break your promise to visit your dying grandmother on the grounds that you can create more happiness by partying with your friends.This utilitarian view of the situation seems to conflict with:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose you break your promise to visit...

Question 5

Suppose a utilitarian judge decides to rule against a plaintive in a law suit just because people in general would be happier if the plaintive lost the case.Such a utilitarian move would conflict with:

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism places emphasis on maximizing overall happiness, but it does not necessarily prioritize individual rights or justice. This conflict between utilitarianism and justice is highlighted in this scenario, as the judge is not considering the fairness or justice of the case, but rather the potential happiness of society as a whole. This goes against the commonsense view that justice should be upheld, even if it may not lead to the greatest overall happiness.

Question 6

Defenders of act-utilitarianism insist that the scenarios that seem to show utilitarianism in conflict with commonsense morality are:

Accepted Answer

Defenders of act-utilitarianism argue that the scenarios that seem to pit utilitarianism against commonsense morality are often presented in a misleading or implausible manner. They argue that in real-world situations, the utilitarian approach would align with common sense and that the apparent conflicts are just hypothetical extremes that do not apply to most situations. Therefore, the answer is A - misleading and implausible.

Question 7

John Stuart Mill says that humans by nature desire happiness and nothing but happiness; therefore happiness is the standard by which we should judge human conduct,and therefore the principle of utility is the heart of morality.But this argument is controversial,because:

Accepted Answer

The argument presented by Mill is a classic example of the is-ought fallacy, which assumes that because humans desire happiness, they should always act in a way that maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people. This argument reasons from what is (human desire for happiness) to what should be (maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people), which is logically flawed.

Question 8

Consider a scenario involving the possible killing of an innocent person for the good of others.Such an action could conceivably be sanctioned by:

Accepted Answer

Act-utilitarianism holds that actions should be taken to maximize overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. In some extreme cases, this may involve sacrificing the well-being or life of an individual if it results in a net gain in happiness or utility for the greater population. Therefore, the possible killing of an innocent person for the good of others could be potentially justified by act-utilitarianism.

Question 9

Suppose for someone there are only two possible actions: (1)read Aristotle or (2)spend a weekend on a tropical isle in intensely pleasurable debauchery.In this situation,the classic utilitarian would likely choose:

Accepted Answer

The classic utilitarian would choose option (2) as it would produce the greatest amount of pleasure for the individual. Utilitarianism emphasizes maximizing overall happiness or pleasure, and in this scenario, the pleasure gained from spending a weekend on a tropical isle in intensely pleasurable debauchery would likely outweigh the pleasure gained from reading Aristotle.

Question 10

The utilitarian principle,or principle of utility,is also called the:

Accepted Answer

The utilitarian principle, also known as the principle of utility, states that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure, and minimizes pain or suffering for the greatest number of people. This principle is also known as the greatest happiness principle. Therefore, the correct answer is D. The other options are not correct names for the utilitarian principle.

Question 11

When act- and rule-utilitarianism are applied to the same moral issue,they:

Accepted Answer

Act-utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness in a particular situation, while rule-utilitarianism emphasizes following the rules that, in general, maximize happiness in the long run. Therefore, they may yield different answers depending on the specific moral issue at hand.

Question 12

John Stuart Mill says,"It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." This sentiment is an indictment of the glutton but also a pat on the back for:

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill is advocating for the pursuit of higher pleasures, such as intellectual pursuits and personal growth, rather than merely seeking immediate physical gratification. Therefore, those who enjoy higher pleasures, represented by Socrates in the quote, are the ones who receive praise.

Question 13

To the classic utilitarian,happiness is:

Accepted Answer

Classic utilitarianism, as developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, holds that the ultimate goal is to promote the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Therefore, happiness is considered the only intrinsic good according to this ethical theory. It is not just an instrumental good, as it is not only valuable as a means to an end, but it is also valuable in and of itself.

Question 14

Ethical egoism seems to conflict with:

Accepted Answer

Ethical egoism is the belief that individuals should act in their own self-interest. This conflicts with our considered moral judgments, which often require us to consider the interests of others and act for the greater good. It also conflicts with our moral experience, which often involves making sacrifices for the sake of others or for a greater cause. Therefore, B - our considered moral judgments and our moral experience - is the best choice.

Question 15

Suppose for someone there are only two possible actions: (1)read Aristotle or (2)spend a weekend on a tropical isle in intensely pleasurable debauchery.Under these circumstances,John Stuart Mill would likely:

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill was a utilitarian philosopher who believed in the principle of maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people. In this specific circumstance, Mill would argue that reading Aristotle would bring more long-term pleasure and intellectual development than a weekend of intense but fleeting debauchery. Therefore, he would choose to read Aristotle.

Question 16

Psychological egoism is a:

Accepted Answer

Psychological egoism is a descriptive theory that states that all of our actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest. It is not a moral principle or a moral theory, and it does not make statements about how morality overrules psychology.

Question 17

Joel Feinberg shows that someone who directly pursues happiness:

Accepted Answer

Feinberg argues that directly pursuing happiness is unlikely to lead to finding it because happiness is often a byproduct of other pursuits and experiences. Therefore, focusing solely on happiness as a goal can result in disappointment and frustration.

Question 18

If,according to Jeremy Bentham,only the total quantity of happiness matters,then the person closest to the moral ideal would be:

Accepted Answer

According to Jeremy Bentham's principle of utilitarianism, the moral value of an action is determined by its contribution to overall happiness. The glutton, by seeking personal pleasure and happiness, aligns most closely with Bentham's view that the total quantity of happiness is what matters, regardless of how it is distributed.

Question 19

The philosopher who said that the greatest good is pleasure,and the greatest evil is pain,was:

Accepted Answer

The philosopher who said that the greatest good is pleasure, and the greatest evil is pain was Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher who founded the philosophy of Epicureanism. He believed that the ultimate goal of life is pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This idea was central to his ethical and moral beliefs.

Question 20

Ethical egoism is the theory that:

Accepted Answer

Ethical egoism is the theory that the right action is the one that advances one's own best interests. This means that individuals are morally obligated to act in their own self-interest and seek their own personal happiness and well-being, regardless of the impact on others.

Quiz 5: Consequentialist Theories: Maximize the Good