Question 1

Biocentrism is the view that
A) the only beings that possess direct moral standing are human beings.
B) all and only sentient creatures have direct moral standing.
C) all living beings, because they are living, possess direct moral standing.
D) the primary bearers of direct moral standing are ecosystems in virtue of their functional integrity.

Accepted Answer

Biocentrism is the ethical perspective that all living beings have inherent value and moral standing simply because they are alive, not just humans or sentient creatures.

Question 2

Ecoholism is the view that
A) only whole ecosystems (not any of the individuals that make up those ecosystems) have direct moral standing.
B) ecosystems and some of the individuals that make them up have direct moral standing.
C) ecosystems do not have direct moral standing but some of the individuals that make them up do.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Ecoholism recognizes that both ecosystems and some of the individuals that make up those ecosystems have direct moral standing. It considers the well-being of the entire ecological community, including the non-human beings, and aims to minimize harm to them.

Question 3

Suppose Mary says, "I understand that the use of the pesticide DDT will prevent thousands of human beings from dying of malaria. But it is still wrong to use DDT, because ultimately all that matters is the functional integrity of the ecosystems in which human beings live, and using DDT will severely damage this integrity." Mary is most likely a proponent of
A) Biocentrism.
B) Anthropocentrism.
C) Ecoholism.
D) ecocentrism.

Accepted Answer

Mary's statement suggests that the ultimate concern should be the ecological systems themselves, rather than just the well-being of human beings (Anthropocentrism) or other living organisms (Biocentrism). This aligns with the philosophy of Ecocentrism, which holds that the natural environment has inherent value and should be protected, even if it means sacrificing some human benefits or interests.

Question 4

A truly environmental ethic must hold that which of the following has direct moral standing?
A) at least some nonhuman beings
B) at least some nonconscious beings
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B; an environmental ethic may deny that there are any nonhuman and nonconscious beings with direct moral standing.

Accepted Answer

A true environmental ethic believes that at least some nonhuman and nonconscious beings have direct moral standing, recognizing the intrinsic value and worth of all forms of life, regardless of their instrumental value to human beings. This approach is rooted in the fundamental belief that humans do not have the right to exploit, harm, or destroy the natural world and that we have a moral obligation to protect the environment and its inhabitants.

Question 5

Suppose Nathan argues that while neither nonhuman nor nonsentient beings have direct moral standing, we still ought to have a certain noninstrumental regard for the environment because failing to do so involves a deficiency in one's moral character. Nathan is most likely applying what moral theory?
A) virtue ethics
B) consequentialism
C) Kantian theory
D) an ethics of prima facie duty

Accepted Answer

Nathan's argument focuses on the idea of having a certain noninstrumental regard for the environment as an expression of one's moral character, which reflects the central concept of virtue ethics. This moral theory emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtuous character traits, such as compassion, empathy, and respect, which guide us in making ethical decisions and actions. In this case, Nathan suggests that failing to value the environment reflects a deficiency in one's moral character, implying that valuing the environment is a virtuous trait to aspire to.

Question 6

Baxter argues that we should view our treatment of the environment as a matter of various trade-offs whose aim is
A) to minimize damage incurred by all individual living beings.
B) to minimize the suffering of all sentient creatures.
C) to promote the functional integrity of ecosystems.
D) to promote human welfare.

Accepted Answer

Baxter argues that environmental issues should be viewed in terms of trade-offs aimed at promoting human welfare, as he believes that the environment should be managed to benefit human interests and needs.

Question 7

If it were known that a policy would wipe out several animal species without negatively affecting human beings, Baxter would most likely say that
A) this policy is morally problematic because it harms the environment.
B) this policy is morally problematic because it damages the integrity of the ecosystem.
C) this policy is morally obligatory because the environment ought not to exist.
D) this policy is morally unproblematic.

Accepted Answer

Baxter's anthropocentric view suggests that actions are morally permissible if they do not harm humans, so he would likely find the policy unproblematic.

Question 8

In Baxter's view, the first and foremost step toward a solution of our environmental problems is a clear recognition that our objective is not pure air or water but rather
A) some optimal state of pollution
B) an overall maximally clean environment.
C) some maximal state of pollution.
D) the preservation of all living species.

Accepted Answer

Baxter argues that the goal should be to achieve an optimal level of pollution that balances environmental health with human needs and economic considerations, rather than striving for absolute purity.

Question 9

Baxter claims that his "very general way" of stating what we should strive for environmentally assumes that
A) we have a god-like control over the environment.
B) we can measure in some way the incremental units of human satisfaction.
C) nonhuman animals have no value whatsoever.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Baxter's statement about striving for environmental goals assumes that we can measure human satisfaction to some extent. The other options are not mentioned or implied in his statement.

Question 10

Baxter's view allows that animals like penguins have some kind of moral standing because
A) they are sentient creatures.
B) they are biological beings.
C) human beings enjoy watching them.
D) they form social relationships with other penguins.

Accepted Answer

Baxter's view is anthropocentric, meaning it considers the value of animals like penguins in terms of their utility or enjoyment to humans, such as the pleasure humans derive from watching them.

Question 11

Leopold claims that history has shown that "the conqueror role is eventually self-defeating." It is self-defeating, in this view, because
A) the conqueror doesn't understand what makes the conquered community tick.
B) the conqueror doesn't know what and who within the community is valuable.
C) the conqueror doesn't know what and who is worthless in community life.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Leopold claims that history has shown that...

Question 12

What is wrong with a conservation system based wholly on economic motives according to Leopold?
A) It assumes that the economic parts of the biotic system will function without the uneconomic parts.
B) It assumes that economic motives are morally relevant.
C) It implies that nonhuman creatures are necessarily without any moral standing.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

According to Leopold, a conservation system based solely on economic motives assumes that the economic parts of the biotic system will function independently of the non-economic parts. However, this is not the case as the biotic system as a whole is interconnected and interdependent. Therefore, a conservation system must take into account the value of all components of the system, not just the economic ones.

Question 13

Leopold most likely describes the "land pyramid" to
A) argue that nature is not inherently normative.
B) provide a description of a mechanism that "we can see, feel, understand, love, or otherwise have faith in."
C) give a detailed description of how plants absorb energy from the sun.
D) argue that even the noneconomic parts of the "biotic clock" have economic value.

Accepted Answer

Leopold describes the "land pyramid" as a mechanism that "we can see, feel, understand, love, or otherwise have faith in." He uses this description to argue for the importance of valuing all parts of the natural world, beyond just their economic value.

Question 14

Which of the following claims would Leopold clearly accept?
A) The problems associated with how we should use our natural environment ultimately concern how human beings should treat each other.
B) We should think in terms of "the balance of nature" to properly appreciate the value of the natural environment.
C) The problems associated with how we should use our natural environment are not merely economic problems.
D) We should ignore all economic motives in deciding questions about land use.

Accepted Answer

Leopold believed that the problems associated with how we should use our natural environment are not merely economic problems. He believed that the natural world has value beyond its economic uses and that its preservation is important for ethical and ecological reasons.

Question 15

Instead of asking why the act of destroying the environment might be immoral, Hill wants to ask
A) why the act of destroying nature might be immoral.
B) why people who destroy the environment might be bad people.
C) how the decision to preserve the environment benefits the environment.
D) whether plants have interests.

Accepted Answer

Hill focuses on the character and virtues of individuals who destroy the environment, questioning their moral character rather than the act itself.

Question 16

Which of the following statements would Hill most likely agree with?
A) Being ignorant of facts about the environment logically entails that one will not properly appreciate one's place in nature.
B) Whether one understands facts about the environment has no correlation with whether one properly appreciates one's place in nature.
C) Being ignorant of facts about the environment makes it very likely that one will not properly appreciate one's place in nature
D) Animals and plants have interests and rights, and we ought to respect both.

Accepted Answer

Hill argues that proper appreciation of one's place in nature is dependent on understanding facts about the environment, therefore being ignorant of these facts makes it likely that one will not properly appreciate their place in nature. Choice A is also partially correct, but does not fully capture Hill's position as it only states that ignorance logically entails lack of appreciation, without addressing the likelihood of it. Choices B and D are incorrect as they do not align with Hill's arguments in the given text.

Question 17

According to Gardiner, which of the following is an important implication of the fact that carbon dioxide is a long-lived greenhouse gas?
A) That climate change is a resilient phenomenon.
B) That the impacts of climate change are seriously back-loaded.
C) That climate change is a substantially deferred phenomenon
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

According to Gardiner, the fact that carbon dioxide is a long-lived greenhouse gas implies that climate change is a resilient phenomenon (meaning it will persist even if we stop emitting greenhouse gases), that the impacts of climate change are seriously back-loaded (meaning we will not see the worst impacts until later this century or beyond), and that climate change is a substantially deferred phenomenon (meaning the full effects may not be felt until centuries from now). Therefore, all of the above choices are correct.

Question 18

In Gardiner's analysis, which of the following is a characteristic of the climate change problem?
A) institutional adequacy
B) dispersion of causes and effects
C) fragmentation of agency
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Gardiner argues that the climate change problem is characterized by institutional inadequacy, dispersion of causes and effects (because the effects of climate change are observed globally but the causes are dispersed among many emitters), and fragmentation of agency (because it requires coordinated action from many countries and sectors). Therefore, all of the above choices are characteristics of the climate change problem in Gardiner's analysis.

Question 19

In the context of Gardiner's article, what is "the dispersion of causes and effects"?
A) the dispersion of the impacts of emissions of greenhouse gases to other actors and regions of the Earth
B) the dispersion of the causes of greenhouse gas emissions across the Earth
C) the dispersion of carbon dioxide molecules in the atmosphere
D) the dispersion of fault and blame for causing greenhouse gas emissions.

Accepted Answer

Gardiner is referring to how the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions are dispersed across the Earth, affecting different actors and regions in various ways. The dispersion of causes of greenhouse gas emissions is not mentioned specifically, nor is the dispersion of carbon dioxide molecules, and while assigning fault and blame for greenhouse gas emissions is part of the larger discussion, it is not the specific topic of "the dispersion of causes and effects."

Question 20

In the context of Gardiner's article, "the fragmentation of agency" refers to what?
A) an agent's inability to acknowledge his or her contribution to climate change
B) the fragmentation of the effects of greenhouse gas emissions across generations
C) the vast number of individuals and agents who contribute to climate change
D) the idea that it's not rational for each individual to restrict his or her own pollution

Accepted Answer

The "fragmentation of agency" refers to the vast number of individuals and agents who contribute to climate change, making it difficult to assign responsibility and coordinate effective action.

Quiz 15: The Environment, Consumption, and Climate Change

Biocentrism is the view that

Ecoholism is the view that

A truly environmental ethic must hold that which of the following has direct moral standing?

Suppose Nathan argues that while neither nonhuman nor nonsentient beings have direct moral standing, we still ought to have a certain noninstrumental regard for the environment because failing to do so involves a deficiency in one's moral character. Nathan is most likely applying what moral theory?

Baxter argues that we should view our treatment of the environment as a matter of various trade-offs whose aim is

If it were known that a policy would wipe out several animal species without negatively affecting human beings, Baxter would most likely say that

In Baxter's view, the first and foremost step toward a solution of our environmental problems is a clear recognition that our objective is not pure air or water but rather

Baxter claims that his "very general way" of stating what we should strive for environmentally assumes that

Baxter's view allows that animals like penguins have some kind of moral standing because

Leopold claims that history has shown that "the conqueror role is eventually self-defeating." It is self-defeating, in this view, because

What is wrong with a conservation system based wholly on economic motives according to Leopold?

Leopold most likely describes the "land pyramid" to

Which of the following claims would Leopold clearly accept?

Instead of asking why the act of destroying the environment might be immoral, Hill wants to ask

Which of the following statements would Hill most likely agree with?

According to Gardiner, which of the following is an important implication of the fact that carbon dioxide is a long-lived greenhouse gas?

In Gardiner's analysis, which of the following is a characteristic of the climate change problem?

In the context of Gardiner's article, what is "the dispersion of causes and effects"?

In the context of Gardiner's article, "the fragmentation of agency" refers to what?