Intro to Ethics – Unit 3
Unit 3 Challenge 1
For a utilitarian, which consideration is most important?
Answer: The consequences of an action
Why is utilitarianism an objectivist or relativist theory?
Answer: Utilitarianism is objectivist because it asserts that everyone should act to increase
utility.
Which of the following considerations is important for a utilitarian when evaluating the morality
of an action?
Answer: How many people the action affects
Elizabeth likes drinking coffee from a certain company which treats its farmers poorly and
pollutes the environment.
How would a utilitarian classify Elizabeth's action?
Answer: Impermissible
Frank is considering donating the excess from a recent bonus to a local shelter instead of
spending it on himself.
How would a utilitarian classify this action?
Answer: Obligatory
Gerrie steals from her neighbor's family to feed hers. Her neighbor's two kids go hungry, but her
two kids get fed.
How would a utilitarian classify this action?
Answer: Neutral
David is the wealthiest resident in his neighborhood. Some of his poorer neighbors have hacked
his wireless internet so they can save money for more important things like food and health
insurance. Many people say this action is immoral— that it’s a type of theft.
How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
, Answer: Hacking David’s internet is morally right because it brings about happiness for his
neighbors, who can’t afford it otherwise, without any harm to him.
An ethics teacher promises to bring in cookies if every student gets an A on their homework
today. But Gina forgot to do her ethics homework, so she pulls the fire alarm right when her
ethics class is supposed to start. By the time the school is evacuated and any possibility of a fire
ruled out, it’s time for the next class. Gina thus ends up with another day to finish her assignment
and get an A. Many people would say this action is immoral.
How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
Answer: Pulling the fire alarm is morally right because it will prevent the unhappiness Gina, her
classmates, and her teacher would otherwise have, without any real negative consequences.
Tabitha’s neighbors are annoyed by the types of plants she grows in her yard. After several
attempts at talking to her, digging up her plants in the night, and even running her out of the
neighborhood, Tabitha’s annoying behavior has not changed. One neighbor suggests they just kill
her. Most people would agree that such an action is clearly immoral.
How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
Answer: Killing Tabitha is morally right because the happiness it brings all her neighbors will
outweigh the harm to her.
Which of the following represents act utilitarianism?
Answer: Neil sends his children to bed without supper because they need to learn to behave
properly.
Larry stops supporting a local charity because he doesn't agree with some of its work.
Which of the following represents rule utilitarianism?
Answer: Marie takes her son to the hospital after he gets injured playing with fire because she
would do so for any injury.
Which of the following pairs of goods are probably different in kind according to idealist
utilitarianism?
Answer: A human life and a good movie
On which of the following statements would a hedonic utilitarian and an idealist utilitarian
disagree?
Answer: Some goods are different in kind.
Which of the following pairs of goods are directly comparable according to hedonic
utilitarianism?
Unit 3 Challenge 1
For a utilitarian, which consideration is most important?
Answer: The consequences of an action
Why is utilitarianism an objectivist or relativist theory?
Answer: Utilitarianism is objectivist because it asserts that everyone should act to increase
utility.
Which of the following considerations is important for a utilitarian when evaluating the morality
of an action?
Answer: How many people the action affects
Elizabeth likes drinking coffee from a certain company which treats its farmers poorly and
pollutes the environment.
How would a utilitarian classify Elizabeth's action?
Answer: Impermissible
Frank is considering donating the excess from a recent bonus to a local shelter instead of
spending it on himself.
How would a utilitarian classify this action?
Answer: Obligatory
Gerrie steals from her neighbor's family to feed hers. Her neighbor's two kids go hungry, but her
two kids get fed.
How would a utilitarian classify this action?
Answer: Neutral
David is the wealthiest resident in his neighborhood. Some of his poorer neighbors have hacked
his wireless internet so they can save money for more important things like food and health
insurance. Many people say this action is immoral— that it’s a type of theft.
How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
, Answer: Hacking David’s internet is morally right because it brings about happiness for his
neighbors, who can’t afford it otherwise, without any harm to him.
An ethics teacher promises to bring in cookies if every student gets an A on their homework
today. But Gina forgot to do her ethics homework, so she pulls the fire alarm right when her
ethics class is supposed to start. By the time the school is evacuated and any possibility of a fire
ruled out, it’s time for the next class. Gina thus ends up with another day to finish her assignment
and get an A. Many people would say this action is immoral.
How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
Answer: Pulling the fire alarm is morally right because it will prevent the unhappiness Gina, her
classmates, and her teacher would otherwise have, without any real negative consequences.
Tabitha’s neighbors are annoyed by the types of plants she grows in her yard. After several
attempts at talking to her, digging up her plants in the night, and even running her out of the
neighborhood, Tabitha’s annoying behavior has not changed. One neighbor suggests they just kill
her. Most people would agree that such an action is clearly immoral.
How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
Answer: Killing Tabitha is morally right because the happiness it brings all her neighbors will
outweigh the harm to her.
Which of the following represents act utilitarianism?
Answer: Neil sends his children to bed without supper because they need to learn to behave
properly.
Larry stops supporting a local charity because he doesn't agree with some of its work.
Which of the following represents rule utilitarianism?
Answer: Marie takes her son to the hospital after he gets injured playing with fire because she
would do so for any injury.
Which of the following pairs of goods are probably different in kind according to idealist
utilitarianism?
Answer: A human life and a good movie
On which of the following statements would a hedonic utilitarian and an idealist utilitarian
disagree?
Answer: Some goods are different in kind.
Which of the following pairs of goods are directly comparable according to hedonic
utilitarianism?
