Question 1

Legal moralism suggests that governments can and should pass laws to prevent behaviors that are largely considered to be immoral.

Accepted Answer

Legal moralism is the idea that the law should reflect and enforce society's moral standards. Therefore, according to this theory, the government has the right and responsibility to pass laws that prevent or punish immoral behaviors.

Question 2

Planned,premeditated killings of family members whose behavior is judged to have brought shame or dishonor to the family are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Honor killings are premeditated murders of family members who are believed to have brought shame or dishonor to the family. These killings are often carried out by male family members against female family members, such as daughters or sisters, who are accused of engaging in behavior deemed unacceptable by the family's traditional beliefs and customs. The perpetrators of honor killings often believe they are upholding the honor of their family and community, and may face lenient punishment or even social approval in certain cultures.

Question 3

The Comstock Act:

Accepted Answer

The Comstock Act of 1873 defined contraceptives as obscene and regulated their distribution, making it illegal to send any information about birth control and contraceptives through the mail. The act was named after Anthony Comstock, a prominent anti-vice crusader of the time.

Question 4

Gambling would be considered a crime mala in se.

Accepted Answer

Gambling is not universally considered a crime mala in se (wrong in and of itself), as it depends on different cultural and legal contexts. In some places, gambling is legal and regulated, while in others, it is illegal and punishable by law.

Question 5

Using the harm principle,a government could legitimately pass laws to prohibit murder,rape,and robbery.

Accepted Answer

The harm principle, introduced by philosopher John Stuart Mill, states that the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. Murder, rape, and robbery all cause harm to others, therefore a government could legitimately pass laws to prohibit these actions.

Question 6

Normative or prescriptive relativism implies that we should not judge the beliefs and behaviors of other cultures.

Accepted Answer

Normative or prescriptive relativism is based on the idea that we should not impose our cultural values or standards on other cultures. It suggests that we should avoid making moral judgments about different cultures and their practices, as each society has its own set of beliefs and customs. Instead, we should be respectful of cultural diversity and recognize the legitimacy of different perspectives and ways of life.

Question 7

The majority of victims of honor killings across the world are women and girls.

Accepted Answer

According to reports and data from various organizations such as the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, the majority of honor killings victims are women and girls. Honor killings are often perpetrated by male family members as a punishment for behavior that is seen as violating traditional or cultural expectations of female behavior.

Question 8

Which of the following positions holds that moral beliefs vary from person to person,and that one person's beliefs and practices cannot be said to be more right (or wrong)that any other person's?

Accepted Answer

Relativism is the position that moral beliefs and practices are subjective and depend on the cultural, historical and social context of an individual. Therefore, there is no objective or universal morality, and one person's beliefs cannot be said to be more right or wrong than anyone else's. Pluralism, on the other hand, recognizes the diversity of moral beliefs and practices but does not necessarily deny the existence of objective moral values or standards. The principle of understanding emphasizes the importance of empathizing with others to appreciate their moral perspectives, but it does not necessarily imply relativism. Individualism stresses the importance of personal autonomy and individual decision-making, but it does not necessarily entail relativism either.

Question 9

Moral relativism is the idea that:

Accepted Answer

Moral relativism is the belief that moral truths are not universal and objective, but are instead relative to the cultural or historical context in which they are found. This means that what is considered morally right or wrong can vary across different cultures or time periods.

Question 10

The argument that sodomy should be prohibited simply because it is immoral -- not because it harms anyone -- would be an example of:

Accepted Answer

The argument that sodomy should be prohibited simply because it is immoral falls under the category of legal moralism, which suggests that certain behaviors should be criminalized because they are seen as morally wrong, regardless of whether or not they are harmful to anyone else. It is not an example of paternalism, which involves restricting an individual's freedom to protect them from harm, nor is it an example of the offense principle, which suggests that certain behaviors can be restricted if they offend others.

Question 11

Which of the following suggests that governments can and should pass laws to protect citizens from themselves,looking out for its citizens as a father might for his children?

Accepted Answer

Paternalism suggests that the government should act as a father figure and protect its citizens, even if it means limiting their personal freedoms. This can include passing laws to protect citizens from their own harmful behavior.

Question 12

Advocates of which of the following often appeal to the harm principle to support their position:

Accepted Answer

Advocates for decriminalization of victimless crimes often argue that as long as an action does not harm others, it should not be illegal. This argument is based on the harm principle, which states that the only reason to interfere with an individual's liberty is to prevent harm to others.

Question 13

Which of the following positions holds that there are eternal,unchanging moral laws that apply to all people,everywhere?

Accepted Answer

Ethical universalism is the position that there are universal, objective moral principles that apply to all people, regardless of culture or context. This view holds that moral truths are not relative to culture, personal opinion or preference, and that certain actions are intrinsically morally right or wrong, regardless of what society or individuals might think or believe.

Question 14

Which of the following,derived from John Stuart Mill,suggests that governments can legitimately create and impose laws only where it is necessary to prevent people from harming others?

Accepted Answer

The harm principle, as derived from John Stuart Mill, suggests that governments can create and impose laws only where it is necessary to prevent people from harming others. This means that laws can only be justified if they are intended to prevent harm to others, and not simply to protect individuals from their own choices or actions.

Question 15

Which of the following might help us develop open-mindedness and the virtue of tolerance?

Accepted Answer

Recognizing that moral norms can and often do vary by time and place can help us develop open-mindedness and the virtue of tolerance by understanding that our own cultural or personal beliefs are not universal and that other perspectives and beliefs are valid. Recognizing free will and developing egoism are not necessarily conducive to open-mindedness and tolerance.

Question 16

When we claim that certain moral values or principles (e.g. ,do not steal)apply or should apply to all people,everywhere,we are saying that some values or principles are:

Accepted Answer

When we claim that certain moral values or principles apply universally, we are claiming that they apply to all people, regardless of their specific cultural or societal context. This is the definition of a universal principle or value. Descriptive statements describe what is currently happening or what people believe, while relative values are dependent on cultural or individual perspectives. Pragmatic values are values based on practical considerations or consequences, rather than moral principles.

Question 17

When we are committed unquestioningly and with absolute certainty to a belief or beliefs,we are guilty of:

Accepted Answer

When we are committed unquestioningly and with absolute certainty to a belief or beliefs, we are guilty of dogmatism. Dogmatism refers to the tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others. It can lead to closed-mindedness and a lack of willingness to consider alternative perspectives or ideas.

Question 18

Ethical objectivism would suggest that whether dishonesty is right or wrong depends upon the person doing it and the circumstances of the situation.

Accepted Answer

Ethical objectivism is the belief that moral truths are universal and objective, independent of individual beliefs or circumstance. Therefore, ethical objectivism would suggest that dishonesty is intrinsically either right or wrong, regardless of who is committing it or the context in which it occurs.

Question 19

One of the benefits of relativism is that it encourages us to maintain an open mind and be tolerant and understanding of differences.

Accepted Answer

Relativism holds that truth and morality are not absolute, but are dependent on cultural, historical, or individual perspectives. This view encourages us to recognize and respect the diversity of beliefs and values held by different people or groups, and to avoid imposing our own views on others. By acknowledging the validity of other perspectives, relativism fosters a spirit of openness, empathy, and tolerance, which can help to reduce conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence.

Question 20

The involuntary (against their will)hospitalization of persons who are determined to be dangerous to themselves or unable to care for themselves effectively could be considered paternalistic.

Accepted Answer

Paternalistic refers to the practice of treating people in a way that is protective or controlling, usually with good intentions but without their consent or input. Involuntary hospitalization is a form of paternalism because it involves forcing someone to receive treatment against their will in order to protect them from harm or to ensure their well-being.

Quiz 4: Is Morality Relative the Variability of Norms and Values