Question 1

The set of universal norms shared by all persons committed to morality is called

Accepted Answer

Common morality refers to the set of moral norms, principles, and values that are widely shared among people who are committed to morality, regardless of their specific cultural, religious, or personal backgrounds.

Question 2

According to Beauchamp and Childress, the implementation of moral principles and rules into public policy must take account of all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Beauchamp and Childress emphasize the importance of ethical principles in shaping public policy, focusing on considerations like cultural pluralism, feasibility, and legal requirements. Profitability for professionals is not highlighted as a primary concern in their framework, which prioritizes ethical considerations over financial interests.

Question 3

The term "_____________" refers to norms about right and wrong human conduct that are so widely shared that they form a stable social compact.

Accepted Answer

Morality refers to the norms about right and wrong human conduct that are widely shared across a society, forming a stable social compact. This encompasses a broad range of actions and behaviors considered acceptable or unacceptable by a community.

Question 4

The following statement is an example of which type of ethics: "When conducting nontherapeutic experimental research, it is of the utmost importance that voluntary informed consent is obtained."

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of practical ethics, which deals with specific, practical issues of right and wrong in human conduct, such as the importance of obtaining voluntary informed consent in nontherapeutic experimental research.

Question 5

The following statement is an example of which type of ethics: "Over the last half-century, more relative weight has increasingly been given to the moral norm of respect for patient autonomy."

Accepted Answer

Descriptive ethics involves the study of people's beliefs about morality, focusing on what people think is right or wrong. The statement describes a trend in moral norms, which aligns with descriptive ethics.

Question 6

A conflict between moral requirements and nonmoral factors, such as self-interest, can be described as a:

Accepted Answer

A practical dilemma involves a conflict between moral requirements and nonmoral factors, such as self-interest, where one must choose between moral obligations and personal gain or convenience.

Question 7

Circumstances in which moral obligations demand or appear to demand that a person adopt each of two (or more) alternative but incompatible actions are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A moral dilemma involves a situation where an individual faces a choice between two or more morally correct actions that cannot all be taken, highlighting a conflict in moral duties or obligations.

Question 8

Which of the following is not a moral principle named by Beauchamp and Childress?

Accepted Answer

Efficiency is not listed as a moral principle by Beauchamp and Childress in their framework. They focus on beneficence, respect for autonomy, and justice as key principles in bioethics.

Question 9

The moral principle concerned with avoiding the causation of harm is called:

Accepted Answer

Nonmaleficence is the moral principle that obligates individuals to refrain from causing harm to others. It is a foundational principle in ethics, particularly in the field of medical ethics, where it is paired with beneficence (the obligation to promote good and act in the best interest of the patient).

Question 10

The moral principle concerned with the fair distribution of benefits, risks, and costs is called:

Accepted Answer

Justice is the moral principle that emphasizes fairness in the distribution of benefits, risks, and costs among individuals or groups. It seeks to ensure that no particular group of people bears an undue share of negative consequences or is systematically denied access to the benefits of a policy or action.

Question 11

In arguing that the physician's primary obligations are determined by a consideration of nonmaleficence and beneficence, Thomas Percival understated the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Thomas Percival's work emphasized nonmaleficence and beneficence, but it has been argued that he did not give sufficient attention to the principles of respect for autonomy and distributive justice, which are also crucial in medical ethics.

Question 12

According to Beauchamp and Childress, the once-honorific sense of profession is now better reflected in the term:

Accepted Answer

Beauchamp and Childress suggest that the term "learned profession" better reflects the once-honorific sense of "profession," emphasizing the importance of specialized knowledge and ethical obligations.

Question 13

A(n) _______________ obligation must be fulfilled unless it conflicts with an equal or stronger obligation.

Accepted Answer

A prima facie obligation is one that must be fulfilled unless it conflicts with an equal or stronger obligation, indicating it is initially considered necessary but can be overridden by more compelling duties.

Question 14

When moral norms conflict, according to Beauchamp and Childress, which of the following norms should take priority?

Accepted Answer

According to Beauchamp and Childress, there is no fixed hierarchy among the principles of bioethics (justice, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, and beneficence). The resolution of conflicts among these principles depends on the specifics of the case at hand, meaning no single principle always takes priority.

Question 15

The process of deliberation and judgment about relative weights and strengths of moral norms in order to determine which moral norms should prevail in a particular situation is called:

Accepted Answer

Balancing involves weighing and comparing the strengths of different moral norms to decide which should take precedence in a specific context.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example, offered by Beauchamp and Childress, of a moral norm that is virtually absolute and in need of no further specification?

Accepted Answer

The prohibition of cruelty that involves unnecessary pain and suffering is considered by Beauchamp and Childress as a virtually absolute moral norm that requires no further specification. This is because the norm is clear in its directive against causing unnecessary harm, making it universally applicable without the need for additional details.

Question 17

Agents who are unable to fulfill all prima facie moral norms in a given situation may experience _________________, indicating the existence of a continued obligation.

Accepted Answer

Moral regret or residue is the correct answer because it reflects the emotional and cognitive state that agents may experience when they recognize that they have not been able to fulfill all moral obligations, suggesting a lingering sense of unmet duty or unresolved moral conflict.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a condition that must be met to justify infringing one prima facie norm in order to adhere to another?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D because the necessity of an infringement is determined by ethical principles and the situation's specifics, not solely by the patient's belief. The other options (A, B, C) are conditions that generally need to be met to justify infringing one prima facie norm in favor of another, focusing on minimizing harm, impartiality, and selecting the least infringing option.

Question 19

The ethical approach outlined in Chapter 1 is commonly referred to as _____________.

Accepted Answer

Principlism, as outlined in Chapter 1 of many ethics texts, refers to a common approach in bioethics that emphasizes four main principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. This approach is widely taught and utilized in discussions of ethical dilemmas in healthcare and research settings.

Question 20

When moral disagreements arise, a moral agent can-and usually should:

Accepted Answer

When moral disagreements occur, it is important for a moral agent to defend their decisions while maintaining respect for others who may have reached different conclusions. This approach fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding, without forcing one's views on others or compromising one's own beliefs unnecessarily.

Quiz 1: Moral Norms