UNIT 3 MILESTONE Test
You passed this Milestone
15 questions were answered correctly.
1
Karl receives a call from the local police, who are concerned that his son may be growing and
distributing an illegal (but not dangerous) drug. Karl knows this suspicion to be true. If he
admits it to the police, his son will be arrested, and their family’s name will be tarnished. If he
lies, the police will assume the tip they got was false and go away.
Most people are split on this issue. How might it be evaluated by a utilitarian?
•
Karl’s lying is morally right because he has an obligation to protect his son, even if his son’s
actions cause harm to others.
•
Karl’s lying is morally wrong because his obligation to the state is more important than his son
staying out of trouble,
even though it would bring about no benefit for the state.
•
Karl’s lying is morally right because keeping his son out of trouble and his family’s reputation
clear will bring about more
happiness than if his son is arrested.
•
Karl’s lying is morally wrong because it is sinful to lie, even when the consequences are less than
desirable.
CONCEPT
Applying
Utilitarianism 2
Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with Kantian deontology?
•
Henrietta is looking for an ethical system that weighs the odds of certain consequences.
•
Hank is looking for an ethical system that will put him most ahead.
•
Houghton is looking for an ethical system that is relative.
•
Helen is looking for an ethical framework that respects the freedom of others.
CONCEPT
Support for Kantian
Deontology 3
I come home and my apartment building is on fire. There is a family of five living in the
apartment next to mine and only my mother in my apartment. I can only evacuate one
apartment.
,What is a problem with applying utilitarianism to this scenario?
•
Utilitarianism says I should evacuate the apartment that has five occupants, even though my
mother is more important
to me.
•
Utilitarianism says I cannot determine which apartment to evacuate because my mother's
happiness is equal to the
happiness of the five strangers.
•
Utilitarianism says I have to choose what to do based on who is responsible for starting the fire.
•
Utilitarianism says I should evacuate my apartment because that will make me the happiest.
CONCEPT
,Problems with
Utilitarianism 4
When a utilitarian evaluates an action, which of the following is most important?
•
The action's rejection by society
•
The action's total effects on everyone
•
The action's effects on the agent
•
The action's inherent sinfulness
CONCEPT
Utilitariani
sm 5
What is meant by the formulation of universal law?
•
Acting according to a maxim that, if applied to everyone, does not entail contradiction
•
Acting according to a maxim that brings about the greatest possible good
•
Acting according to a maxim that respects an act's inherent goodness
•
Acting according to a maxim that is defined by the global community
CONCEPT
The Formulation of
Universal Law 6
Ingrid steals from a wealthy neighbor's excess so she can afford shoes for her children.
How would a utilitarian classify this action?
•
Obligatory
•
Neutral
•
Impermissible
•
Supererogat
ory
CONCEPT
Commitments of
Utilitarianism 7
Jimmy is a nurse who cares for the aging Mr. Buckner in New York City. Mr. Buckner is a very
wealthy man who has saved a lot of money over the years. One day, Mr. Buckner takes Jimmy
aside and tells him that he has decided what to do with his money after he dies. Mr. Buckner
tells Jimmy that he wants Jimmy to give all of the money to the New York Knicks basketball
team. He makes Jimmy promise three times that he will do this. Jimmy thinks Mr. Buckner has
, gone crazy, but Mr. Buckner dies before they can discuss it further.
Which action is supported by utilitarianism but intuitively seems unethical?
•
Jimmy breaks his promise to Mr. Buckner and instead donates the money to a basketball league
that helps inner city
youth.