Question 1

In what way does Sidgwick criticize utilitarian calculus?
A) The time to calculate the best action is infinitely long.
B) We need experience in order to perform the calculation.
C) Pleasure is not the only good we seek.
D) Utilitarianism excludes nonhuman animals from moral consideration.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 2

Imagine that Brenden enjoyed being punished (which is referred to as masochism).Describe how Brenden's actions would be different if he followed the categorical imperative as opposed to the golden rule.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary.A valid response would point to the golden rule requiring Brenden to punish others (because he desired punishment),while the categorical imperative will hold that he ought not punish others because we cannot universalize punishment for all,the nature of categorical imperatives,and/or the distinction between hypothetical and categorical imperatives.

Question 3

The problem of counterintuitive consequences highlights that in some instances,utilitarianism requires ________ actions.
A) difficult
B) unjust
C) unintelligible
D) random

Accepted Answer

The problem of counterintuitive consequences refers to scenarios where following utilitarianism may require actions that we would consider unjust or morally wrong. This is because utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being, which may sometimes involve sacrificing the well-being of a small group of people for the greater good of the majority. However, this conflicts with many people's sense of justice and fairness, as they believe that every individual's well-being should be respected and protected. Therefore, utilitarianism may require unjust actions in some cases.

Question 4

Imagine that you have been invited to go to the opera on the same day and time that a contestant on your favorite reality television show is making an appearance in your town.A utilitarian take on how to decide which event to attend would largely depend upon which of the following?
A) whether you had previously attended either event
B) the cost of each event
C) the relative qualities of the resultant happiness
D) which event you committed to attending first

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is a moral theory based on the principle of maximizing overall happiness or pleasure. Therefore, the best choice would be to attend the event that would result in the highest level of happiness for the greatest number of people. In this case, it would be important to consider the relative qualities of the happiness that would result from attending the opera versus seeing the contestant on the reality TV show. This would depend on personal preferences and the significance of the appearance by the contestant.

Question 5

Why are Mill's responsibilities with India often pointed to as a difficulty for him?
A) His beliefs about emancipation do not correspond with his actions with India.
B) His travels to India interfered with his work as a member of Parliament.
C) His endorsement of Indian sovereignty put him on the fringes of British society.
D) He lacked the ability to separate his professional and philosophical roles.

Accepted Answer

Mill's responsibilities with India are often pointed to as a difficulty for him because his beliefs about emancipation and freedom clashed with his actions towards India. As a high-ranking official in the East India Company and a member of Parliament, Mill was involved in shaping policies towards India that were often exploitative and oppressive, despite his belief in the principle of individual freedom. This inconsistency between his philosophy and his actions has been the subject of much criticism and debate.

Question 6

What is Mill's response to the objection that people seek things other than happiness?
A) Some people are not sufficiently developed to be moral agents.
B) Other things sought are desired because they lead to happiness.
C) We can choose ends for other reasons,but happiness is always the reason for morality.
D) This is a problem only in totalitarian regimes.

Accepted Answer

Mill argues that people seek things other than happiness because they believe that these things will ultimately lead to happiness. Therefore, the pursuit of happiness is still the ultimate goal, even if other things are sought along the way.

Question 7

Discuss the basis on which Kant might state that we have a duty to assist someone who is drowning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the basis on which Kant might...

Question 8

Making decisions for others based upon our own beliefs of what is best for them is best understood as which of the following?
A) fidelity
B) paternalism
C) beneficence
D) existentialism

Accepted Answer

Paternalism is the act of making decisions for others based upon our own beliefs of what is best for them, even without their consent. Fidelity refers to being faithful to our commitments and obligations, beneficence refers to doing good or promoting health, and existentialism pertains to the philosophical belief that individuals must create their own meaning in life.

Question 9

The difference between the two main variants of utilitarianism is what?
A) Act utilitarianism is based upon observation;rule utility is based upon conjecture.
B) Rawlsian utilitarianism is about social structures;act utility is about individual choices.
C) Rule utilitarianism applies to multiple individuals;act utility is only about one person.
D) Act utilitarianism looks at discrete actions;rule utility is a measure of the effectiveness of a standard.

Accepted Answer

Act utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of individual actions, whereas rule utilitarianism looks at the effectiveness of a set of rules or standards in promoting overall utility. Therefore, the main difference between the two is in their scope of evaluation - act utilitarianism considers discrete actions, while rule utilitarianism evaluates the usefulness of a general principle or rule.

Question 10

Assisted suicide,or helping another person end his or her life,is controversial.Key to most understandings is that the person must commit the action himself or herself,though one could aid him or her by providing a lethal dose of a drug,for example.How would Kant evaluate the morality of assisting with a suicide? Explain why you do or do not agree.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Assisted suicide,or helping another person end his...

Question 11

Briefly describe the difference between a priori and a posteriori knowledge.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe the difference between a priori...

Question 12

In the United States,most automobile purchases involve a negotiation on the price of the vehicle.Imagine a car dealership that advertised that it was a "no haggle zone" and that the prices for each car were clearly labeled.In order to understand a Kantian analysis of the ethics of this action,what would we need to know?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the United States,most automobile purchases involve...

Question 13

Government house utilitarianism holds which of the following?
A) Like a house needs a good foundation,morality must be based upon explicit standards.
B) It is important for those electing officers to utilize utilitarian standards in selection.
C) Elites can practice utilitarianism,while common people are told to follow explicit rules of morality.
D) To be successful,utilitarianism should be explicitly endorsed by the government of a given society.

Accepted Answer

Government house utilitarianism suggests that a dual standard of morality exists: one for the elite, who can understand and apply utilitarian principles, and another for the general populace, who are given simpler moral rules to follow. This concept implies that the complexities of utilitarian calculations are best handled by a select few, while the masses are guided by more straightforward directives.

Question 14

Utilitarianism is a part of which broader understanding of morality?
A) humanism
B) deontology
C) consequentialism
D) existentialism

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, which holds that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences. Utilitarianism seeks to maximize the overall well-being or happiness (utility) of all individuals affected by the action. Therefore, consequentialism is the broader understanding of morality that includes utilitarianism as a subset. Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, while deontology is a theory that actions are morally required, forbidden, or permissible based on a set of rules or principles. Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and choice, and the subjective experience of existence.

Question 15

Imagine that you had received advanced confidential information about the impending release of a new product.It appears that this new technology is going to be a huge hit and very profitable for the company and its stockholders.No announcement has been made,so you would be able to purchase stock at a lower price.But such "insider trading" is illegal.You don't believe that anyone would be significantly financially harmed if you break this law.Which of the following topics is MOST relevant to your decision?
A) theory of the good
B) fallacy of scarcity
C) agency objections
D) counterintuitive consequences

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine that you had received advanced confidential...

Question 16

Those who enjoy roller coasters often describe that the thrill they get from a particular coaster is highest on the first ride.This is an example of which of the following?
A) primacy/recency effect
B) diminishing marginal utility
C) ennui
D) disenchantment

Accepted Answer

Diminishing marginal utility is the phenomenon where the satisfaction or pleasure derived from consuming or experiencing something decreases with each subsequent time. In the case of roller coasters, the first ride is often the most exciting and enjoyable, and subsequent rides may not provide the same level of thrill.

Question 17

Nozick's experience machine is used as an example of which objection to utilitarianism?
A) the agency objection
B) the quality objection
C) the evil pleasures objection
D) the irrelevance objection

Accepted Answer

Nozick's experience machine is used to illustrate the agency objection to utilitarianism, which argues that people value more than just pleasure or happiness and that they have a desire to act autonomously and make their own choices. The experience machine would provide pleasure, but it would undermine individual agency and deprive people of the ability to make their own decisions.

Quiz 9: Challenges for Utilitarianism

In what way does Sidgwick criticize utilitarian calculus?

Imagine that Brenden enjoyed being punished (which is referred to as masochism).Describe how Brenden's actions would be different if he followed the categorical imperative as opposed to the golden rule.

The problem of counterintuitive consequences highlights that in some instances,utilitarianism requires ________ actions.

Imagine that you have been invited to go to the opera on the same day and time that a contestant on your favorite reality television show is making an appearance in your town.A utilitarian take on how to decide which event to attend would largely depend upon which of the following?

Why are Mill's responsibilities with India often pointed to as a difficulty for him?

What is Mill's response to the objection that people seek things other than happiness?

Discuss the basis on which Kant might state that we have a duty to assist someone who is drowning.

Making decisions for others based upon our own beliefs of what is best for them is best understood as which of the following?

The difference between the two main variants of utilitarianism is what?

Briefly describe the difference between a priori and a posteriori knowledge.

Government house utilitarianism holds which of the following?

Utilitarianism is a part of which broader understanding of morality?

Those who enjoy roller coasters often describe that the thrill they get from a particular coaster is highest on the first ride.This is an example of which of the following?

Nozick's experience machine is used as an example of which objection to utilitarianism?