Question 1

A person's right that obligates others NOT to interfere with that person's obtaining something is known as a:

Accepted Answer

A negative right refers to a person's right to be free from interference by others in their pursuit of something. It implies that others have an obligation not to interfere with the person's pursuit. For example, a person's right to freedom of speech is a negative right in that it obligates others not to interfere with their expression of speech.

Question 2

The morality of persons getting what is fair or what is their due is known as:

Accepted Answer

The morality of persons getting what is fair or what is their due is known as justice. Libertarianism focuses on individual freedom and minimal government intervention, egalitarianism advocates for equal distribution of resources and opportunities, and jurisprudence is the study and application of law.

Question 3

A person's claim or entitlement to something,a moral demand that obligates others to act accordingly,is referred to as a:

Accepted Answer

A "right" is a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something, which obligates others to act accordingly.

Question 4

Peter Singer asserts that our moral duty applies to needy people regardless of:

Accepted Answer

According to Peter Singer, our moral duty applies equally to those who are far away from us as it does to those who are nearby. Therefore, the distance of the needy person does not affect our moral obligation towards them.

Question 5

Someone holding a(n)________ theory of justice would insist that all persons have equal value and deserve equal respect and therefore have equal rights to the world's resources.

Accepted Answer

An egalitarian theory of justice believes in the equal distribution of resources and opportunities among all individuals, as they believe that every person has equal value and deserves equal respect. Therefore, an egalitarian would insist that all individuals have equal rights to the world's resources.

Question 6

Robert Nozick and John Hospers believe that people have a right NOT to be interfered with and to do whatever they want with their own property as long as they do not violate the liberty rights of others.This line is clearly:

Accepted Answer

The idea of individuals having the right to do as they please with their own property without violating the rights of others is a key principle of libertarianism. Both Nozick and Hospers are prominent libertarian thinkers.

Question 7

Imagine that Congress is debating a bill that would increase the amount of taxpayer money the United States spends on fighting hunger and poverty in developing countries.You oppose the bill because you are a staunch:

Accepted Answer

The best choice is libertarian because libertarians generally oppose government intervention and taxpayer money being used for humanitarian aid. They believe in individual responsibility and charity rather than government aid.

Question 8

The moral issue of whether we have a duty to help the poor and hungry of the world is compelling mainly because the:

Accepted Answer

The misery of the world's poor is profound and the economic gap between rich and poor is wide is the most compelling reason for the moral issue of whether we have a duty to help the poor and hungry of the world. This is because the suffering of the poor is significant, and the difference in the economic status of the rich and poor is enormous, making it an urgent moral issue. The news media reminding us of the plight of poor people or the world's poor being slightly better off than they used to be is not as significant as the profound misery of the poor and the wide economic gap. The idea that the misery of the world's poor is an exaggeration is also incorrect, as the poverty and suffering of many individuals around the world have been well documented.

Question 9

According to Peter Singer's theory,we (the affluent)ought to give to the needy until we reach the level of marginal utility-which means that in giving the appropriate amount,we would reduce ourselves to very near the material circumstances of:

Accepted Answer

According to Singer's theory, we should give until we reach the level of marginal utility, which means that we should reduce ourselves to very near the material circumstances of those in extreme poverty. The only option that aligns with extreme poverty is choice B, the Bengali refugee. The other options are not equivalent to extreme poverty and are therefore not the best choice according to Singer's theory.

Question 10

Suppose your friend is a strong believer in individual liberties and negative rights,and she often complains about the government's establishment of positive rights.It sounds like she may be a(n):

Accepted Answer

A strong believer in individual liberties and negative rights typically aligns with libertarianism, which prioritizes the freedom of individuals and minimal government intervention. Socialism and communism both prioritize the collective common good over individual liberty, while egalitarianism aims for equal distribution of resources and opportunities. Therefore, D) libertarian is the best fit for the given description.

Question 11

Suppose you adopt a libertarian theory of justice,and the government decides to raise taxes to pay for universal health care.You will likely ________ these new taxes.

Accepted Answer

According to libertarian theory, individuals have the right to keep the fruits of their labor and government interference in matters such as taxation is seen as a violation of this right. Therefore, a person who adopts a libertarian theory of justice would likely oppose any increase in taxes, even if the purpose is to provide universal healthcare.

Question 12

Suppose you strongly believe you have no duty to help the poor and hungry of the world,that you are not obligated to share your resources with those less fortunate.Your view would be consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Libertarianism is a political ideology that emphasizes individual liberty and limited government intervention in economic affairs, and advocates for the free market economy. According to libertarian principles, individuals have the right to keep what they earn and are not obligated to share their resources with others, even if they are less fortunate. Therefore, the view that one has no duty to help the poor and hungry of the world is consistent with the principles of libertarianism.

Question 13

The key premise in Peter Singer's argument for aiding the world's needy is:

Accepted Answer

Peter Singer's argument is based on the principle of effective altruism, which states that we should strive to use our resources in the most effective way to do the most good. Singer argues that if we can prevent someone from suffering without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, it is our moral duty to do so. Therefore, the key premise in Singer's argument is that if we have the power to prevent something bad from happening, we ought to do it.

Question 14

Suppose you are asked by the local hospital to donate one of your kidneys to save the life of a stranger.Are you obligated to give away your kidney for a good cause? John Arthur says NO because:

Accepted Answer

John Arthur argues that individuals have a right to their body, and this right weighs against any duty to help others. While donating a kidney may be a noble act, individuals are not obligated to do so if it goes against their right to bodily autonomy. Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Question 15

A person's right that obligates others to help that person obtain something is called a:

Accepted Answer

A positive right is a right that obligates others to provide something to the right-holder, whereas a negative right simply requires others to refrain from interfering with the right-holder's actions. A positive claim and positivist right are not commonly used terms in the context of rights theory, and a negative right does not fit the definition described in the question.

Question 16

Justice concerning the fair distribution of society's goods is called:

Accepted Answer

Distributive justice specifically deals with the fair distribution of society's goods, such as wealth, resources, and opportunities. Egalitarian justice focuses on equal access and treatment, while beneficent justice focuses on doing good and promoting welfare. Retributive justice deals with punishment for wrongdoing.

Question 17

A Kantian theorist would reject Peter Singer's argument because:

Accepted Answer

Kantian ethics reject utilitarianism, as Kant believed that ethics should be based on categorical imperatives rather than calculations of utility. Therefore, a Kantian theorist would reject Singer's utilitarian argument for giving to the hungry.

Question 18

A moral obligation to benefit others is known as a:

Accepted Answer

The duty to benefit others is known as the duty of beneficence. This involves taking actions that promote the well-being of others and prevents harm. It is a moral obligation to act in ways that benefit others, especially those who are vulnerable or in need. The duty of benevolence (choice A) is similar, but more focused on kindness and goodwill towards others. The duty of autonomy (choice B) refers to the obligation to respect people's choices and decisions, while the duty of fairness (choice D) is the obligation to treat people fairly and equally. Neither of these duties is specifically focused on benefiting others.

Question 19

The richest 1 percent of people in the world own about ________ percent of the world's wealth.

Accepted Answer

The richest 1 percent of people in the world own about 50 percent of the world's wealth, highlighting the significant wealth inequality globally.

Question 20

Critics of Peter Singer's view admit that we do have an obligation to aid distant people but,they say,we also have a duty to help:

Accepted Answer

The best choice is A) those with whom we have a special relationship. Critics of Singer's view argue that we have a moral obligation to help not only distant others, but also those with whom we have close personal relationships such as family, friends, and community members. This obligation stems from our special relationships with them and our responsibility to care for those closest to us. While helping everyone near us (B) may be desirable, it may not always be possible or practical. Similarly, aiding our enemies (C) or foreign governments (D) may not be a moral obligation, as we do not necessarily owe loyalty or assistance to those who pose a threat or have different political interests than us.

Quiz 19: Global Economic Justice