Question 1

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 could sanction the killing of an innocent person for the good of others because it evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences, specifically whether it maximizes overall happiness or utility. If killing one innocent person results in a greater overall good or happiness for a larger number of people, act-utilitarianism could deem it morally permissible.

Question 2

Joel Feinberg shows that someone who directly pursues happiness:

Accepted Answer

Feinberg argues that pursuing happiness directly may actually lead to disappointment and frustration, as happiness is often a byproduct of other activities or experiences. He suggests that it is better to focus on pursuing worthwhile goals or engaging in meaningful activities that may ultimately lead to happiness as a natural outcome.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Act-utilitarianism focuses on the specific actions that will produce the most overall happiness or pleasure, while rule-utilitarianism focuses on following general rules that will produce the most overall happiness or pleasure. Because of this difference in approach, it is possible for these two forms of utilitarianism to yield different answers when applied to a specific moral issue. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 4

Ethical egoism seems to conflict with:

Accepted Answer

Ethical egoism asserts that individuals should always act in their own self-interest, even if this harms others. This conflicts with our considered moral judgments and moral experience, which often include principles of altruism and concern for the well-being of others. It is not in line with our moral experience to always prioritize one's own self-interest over the interests of others.

Question 5

Ethical egoism is the theory that:

Accepted Answer

Ethical egoism proposes that the proper course of action is that which serves one's own self-interest. It posits that individuals should act in ways that maximize their own interests, even if it means ignoring the interests of others or causing harm to them. Hence, the right action is the one that advances one's own best interests.

Question 6

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

A classic utilitarian would choose the action that maximizes pleasure or happiness. Spending a weekend on a tropical isle in intensely pleasurable debauchery is likely to provide more immediate pleasure than reading Aristotle.

Question 7

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 proponent of utilitarianism, which emphasizes maximizing overall happiness or pleasure while minimizing overall pain or suffering. In this scenario, reading Aristotle may lead to some intellectual satisfaction, but spending a weekend in intensely pleasurable debauchery may lead to more immediate and intense pleasure. However, Mill would consider the long-term consequences and potential harms of indulging in such debauchery, such as negative physical or emotional effects, potential harm to others, and potential damage to one's moral character. Therefore, Mill would likely choose to read Aristotle, as it aligns with his belief in the importance of intellectual pursuits and personal improvement for the overall happiness of society.

Question 8

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

Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness, but our commonsense view of obligations emphasizes duties to loved ones, like visiting a dying grandmother, regardless of the broader happiness outcome.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The philosopher who believed that the greatest good is pleasure and the greatest evil is pain was Epicurus. This belief is a central tenet of Epicureanism, a philosophy founded by Epicurus that emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain as the key to a happy life.

Question 10

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 theory holds that an individual should perform the act that maximizes their self-interest. It is different from rule-egoism, which states that one should follow ethical rules that promote self-interest, and nonconsequentialist egoism, which focuses on the motives and intentions behind actions rather than the consequences. Kantian egoism does not exist as a formal theory but rather combines elements of Kant's philosophy with egoism.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Some utilitarians argue that common moral intuitions are not always reliable and may need to be revised in light of the principle of utility, which focuses on maximizing overall happiness.

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 arguing that there are different qualities of pleasure, and that it is better to experience the higher pleasures (such as the intellectual pleasure of Socrates) even if they come with some dissatisfaction, than to only experience lower pleasures (such as the physical pleasure of a pig) and be satisfied. Therefore, the best choice is C, as it refers to those who enjoy higher pleasures. Choices A and D are incorrect as they do not take into account the quality of pleasure, while choice B goes too far in avoiding all pleasures.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Bentham's utilitarianism focuses on maximizing total happiness. The glutton, who seeks pleasure and indulgence, aligns with this idea by pursuing personal happiness, potentially contributing to the overall happiness.

Question 14

To the classic utilitarian,happiness is:

Accepted Answer

To the classic utilitarian, happiness is the only intrinsic good. Their ethical theory is focused on maximizing overall happiness or pleasure and minimizing overall pain or suffering. Other goods, such as knowledge or friendship, are considered to be valuable only insofar as they contribute to happiness. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 15

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 contradict commonsense morality are often presented in a way that is unrealistic or exaggerated, making them misleading and implausible. They may argue that these scenarios do not accurately reflect real-world situations in which utilitarianism would be applied. Therefore, the best choice is A.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory that focuses on maximizing overall happiness or pleasure. However, this approach can conflict with commonsense views about justice, which hold that individuals should be treated fairly and equitably, regardless of the overall happiness of society. In this case, the utilitarian judge's decision would be unjust, as it would ignore the rights and interests of the plaintiff in favor of maximizing overall happiness. Therefore, the best choice is D, commonsense views about justice.

Question 17

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

Mill's argument commits the naturalistic fallacy, which is the fallacy of inferring moral ought from factual is. It is controversial to derive moral principles solely from human nature and desires.

Question 18

Psychological egoism is a:

Accepted Answer

Psychological egoism is a descriptive theory of human motivation that suggests that people always act in their own self-interest, even when they appear to be acting altruistically. It is not a basic moral principle or theory, nor does it suggest that morality trumps psychology.

Question 19

A true ethical egoist chooses actions that:

Accepted Answer

A true ethical egoist chooses actions that promote their own self-interests. They prioritize their own well-being over the well-being of others.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The utilitarian principle, or principle of utility, is also called the greatest happiness principle as it aims to provide the maximum happiness for the maximum number of people. The other choices are not accurate descriptions of this principle.

Quiz 5: Consequentialist Theories: Maximize the Good