WGU D333 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT ACTUAL 2026/2027 |
Ethics in Technology Comprehensive Review | Grade A
Verified Questions & Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Foundational Ethical Theories & Moral Frameworks (Q1-14)]
Q1. A software developer is asked to build a feature that secretly collects user location
data without consent. She refuses, stating that she cannot treat users merely as means
to an end. Which ethical framework is she applying?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Kantian Deontology [CORRECT]
D. Contractarianism
Rationale: Kant's categorical imperative includes the means-end formulation (humanity
formulation), which prohibits treating persons merely as means; this developer's
reasoning aligns with deontological duty ethics rather than consequentialist or
virtue-based frameworks.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. According to Kant's categorical imperative, which test requires that a moral maxim
be capable of being willed as a universal law without contradiction?
A. The difference principle
B. The utility calculus
C. The universal law formulation [CORRECT]
D. The telos test
Rationale: Kant's universal law formulation requires that one act only according to
maxims that can be willed as universal law; this is distinct from Rawls's difference
principle, Bentham's utility calculus, and Aristotle's telos.
Correct Answer: C
,Q3. A company must decide whether to release a product with a known minor defect
that affects 0.1% of users. Management calculates that the cost of fixing the defect
exceeds the expected harm to affected users. Which ethical framework supports this
decision?
A. Kantian Deontology
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Utilitarianism [CORRECT]
D. Contractarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on aggregate utility or welfare
outcomes; the decision to maximize overall benefit by comparing costs and harms
reflects act utilitarian reasoning, which contrasts with deontological prohibitions on
treating persons as means.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. Which distinction best characterizes the difference between act utilitarianism and
rule utilitarianism?
A. Act utilitarianism evaluates individual actions by consequences; rule utilitarianism
evaluates actions by adherence to rules that maximize utility when generally followed
[CORRECT]
B. Act utilitarianism rejects consequences entirely; rule utilitarianism accepts them
C. Act utilitarianism applies only to corporations; rule utilitarianism applies only to
individuals
D. There is no meaningful distinction between the two
Rationale: Act utilitarianism assesses each action's direct consequences, while rule
utilitarianism evaluates whether the action conforms to rules that, if generally followed,
produce the greatest overall utility; both are consequentialist but differ in evaluative
focus.
Correct Answer: A
,Q5. An IT professional consistently demonstrates honesty, courage, and practical
wisdom in navigating complex ethical dilemmas at work. Which ethical framework best
describes this emphasis on character development?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue Ethics [CORRECT]
D. Contractarianism
Rationale: Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotle, emphasizes character traits (virtues) such
as honesty, courage (andreia), and practical wisdom (phronesis) rather than
rule-following or consequence calculation; eudaimonia (flourishing) is achieved through
virtuous living.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate end (telos) of human life that virtue
ethics aims to achieve?
A. Maximum pleasure
B. Universal law compliance
C. Eudaimonia (human flourishing/happiness) [CORRECT]
D. Social contract agreement
Rationale: Aristotle's virtue ethics holds that eudaimonia—often translated as
flourishing, well-being, or happiness—is the highest human good and the telos toward
which all virtuous action is directed; it is achieved through the exercise of virtue over a
complete life.
Correct Answer: C
Q7. In Rawls's theory of justice, which concept requires that principles of justice be
chosen from behind a "veil of ignorance" where individuals do not know their social
position, talents, or conception of the good?
A. The categorical imperative
B. The original position [CORRECT]
C. The utility calculus
, D. The golden mean
Rationale: Rawls's original position is a hypothetical choice situation where rational
persons select principles of justice from behind a veil of ignorance; this ensures
impartiality by removing knowledge of contingent advantages that could bias the
choice.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Rawls's difference principle states that social and economic inequalities are
justified only if they:
A. Maximize total wealth regardless of distribution
B. Benefit the least advantaged members of society [CORRECT]
C. Reward those with the greatest natural talents
D. Preserve existing social hierarchies
Rationale: The difference principle (second principle of justice) permits inequalities only
if they work to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged; this prioritizes the worst-off
and constrains the distribution of social primary goods.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A company implements a pay structure where the highest-paid employee earns no
more than 20 times the lowest-paid employee, arguing that extreme inequality would be
unacceptable if chosen from behind the veil of ignorance. Which principle is being
applied?
A. The utility principle
B. The difference principle [CORRECT]
C. The categorical imperative
D. The harm principle
Rationale: Limiting inequality to benefit the least advantaged reflects Rawls's difference
principle; the veil of ignorance thought experiment is the method by which this principle
would be chosen, ensuring fairness to all social positions.
Ethics in Technology Comprehensive Review | Grade A
Verified Questions & Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Foundational Ethical Theories & Moral Frameworks (Q1-14)]
Q1. A software developer is asked to build a feature that secretly collects user location
data without consent. She refuses, stating that she cannot treat users merely as means
to an end. Which ethical framework is she applying?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Kantian Deontology [CORRECT]
D. Contractarianism
Rationale: Kant's categorical imperative includes the means-end formulation (humanity
formulation), which prohibits treating persons merely as means; this developer's
reasoning aligns with deontological duty ethics rather than consequentialist or
virtue-based frameworks.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. According to Kant's categorical imperative, which test requires that a moral maxim
be capable of being willed as a universal law without contradiction?
A. The difference principle
B. The utility calculus
C. The universal law formulation [CORRECT]
D. The telos test
Rationale: Kant's universal law formulation requires that one act only according to
maxims that can be willed as universal law; this is distinct from Rawls's difference
principle, Bentham's utility calculus, and Aristotle's telos.
Correct Answer: C
,Q3. A company must decide whether to release a product with a known minor defect
that affects 0.1% of users. Management calculates that the cost of fixing the defect
exceeds the expected harm to affected users. Which ethical framework supports this
decision?
A. Kantian Deontology
B. Virtue Ethics
C. Utilitarianism [CORRECT]
D. Contractarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on aggregate utility or welfare
outcomes; the decision to maximize overall benefit by comparing costs and harms
reflects act utilitarian reasoning, which contrasts with deontological prohibitions on
treating persons as means.
Correct Answer: C
Q4. Which distinction best characterizes the difference between act utilitarianism and
rule utilitarianism?
A. Act utilitarianism evaluates individual actions by consequences; rule utilitarianism
evaluates actions by adherence to rules that maximize utility when generally followed
[CORRECT]
B. Act utilitarianism rejects consequences entirely; rule utilitarianism accepts them
C. Act utilitarianism applies only to corporations; rule utilitarianism applies only to
individuals
D. There is no meaningful distinction between the two
Rationale: Act utilitarianism assesses each action's direct consequences, while rule
utilitarianism evaluates whether the action conforms to rules that, if generally followed,
produce the greatest overall utility; both are consequentialist but differ in evaluative
focus.
Correct Answer: A
,Q5. An IT professional consistently demonstrates honesty, courage, and practical
wisdom in navigating complex ethical dilemmas at work. Which ethical framework best
describes this emphasis on character development?
A. Utilitarianism
B. Deontology
C. Virtue Ethics [CORRECT]
D. Contractarianism
Rationale: Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotle, emphasizes character traits (virtues) such
as honesty, courage (andreia), and practical wisdom (phronesis) rather than
rule-following or consequence calculation; eudaimonia (flourishing) is achieved through
virtuous living.
Correct Answer: C
Q6. According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate end (telos) of human life that virtue
ethics aims to achieve?
A. Maximum pleasure
B. Universal law compliance
C. Eudaimonia (human flourishing/happiness) [CORRECT]
D. Social contract agreement
Rationale: Aristotle's virtue ethics holds that eudaimonia—often translated as
flourishing, well-being, or happiness—is the highest human good and the telos toward
which all virtuous action is directed; it is achieved through the exercise of virtue over a
complete life.
Correct Answer: C
Q7. In Rawls's theory of justice, which concept requires that principles of justice be
chosen from behind a "veil of ignorance" where individuals do not know their social
position, talents, or conception of the good?
A. The categorical imperative
B. The original position [CORRECT]
C. The utility calculus
, D. The golden mean
Rationale: Rawls's original position is a hypothetical choice situation where rational
persons select principles of justice from behind a veil of ignorance; this ensures
impartiality by removing knowledge of contingent advantages that could bias the
choice.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Rawls's difference principle states that social and economic inequalities are
justified only if they:
A. Maximize total wealth regardless of distribution
B. Benefit the least advantaged members of society [CORRECT]
C. Reward those with the greatest natural talents
D. Preserve existing social hierarchies
Rationale: The difference principle (second principle of justice) permits inequalities only
if they work to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged; this prioritizes the worst-off
and constrains the distribution of social primary goods.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A company implements a pay structure where the highest-paid employee earns no
more than 20 times the lowest-paid employee, arguing that extreme inequality would be
unacceptable if chosen from behind the veil of ignorance. Which principle is being
applied?
A. The utility principle
B. The difference principle [CORRECT]
C. The categorical imperative
D. The harm principle
Rationale: Limiting inequality to benefit the least advantaged reflects Rawls's difference
principle; the veil of ignorance thought experiment is the method by which this principle
would be chosen, ensuring fairness to all social positions.
