ETHICS - 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
Utilitarianism
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
Supererogatory
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.
,
Jimmy does what he promised and gives Mr. Buckner’s fortune to the New York Knicks.
Jimmy decides to keep Mr. Buckner’s fortune for himself, as payment for all his work.
Jimmy breaks his promise to Mr. Buckner and uses the money to pay for an operation his mother needs.
CONCEPT
Advantages and Shortcomings of Utilitarianism
8
In Kantian deontology, the __________ must be derived from reason.
utility principle
categorical imperative
formal maxim
command theory
CONCEPT
Kantian Deontology
9
How might a Kantian deontologist evaluate a jury voting to convict someone they know is innocent because they
disagree with his political beliefs?
It is morally wrong because if all juries acted that way, the judicial system would cease to be about justice and become a
vehicle for political oppression.
It is morally wrong because if their motives are obvious, it could hurt their own party's reputation just to prevent just one
person from voting against them.
It is morally right because juries decide legal truth and can't be punished for any decisions they make.
It is morally right because the jurors' obligation to their party and their country are more important than one innocent
man's freedom.
CONCEPT
Applying Kantian Deontology
10
Which of the following represents a potential problem for Kantian deontology?
A person can get away with doing harm if it's culturally accepted.
A person can't use feelings to help guide his or her reasoning.
A person can get away with doing harm if he or she isn't caught.
A person can justify any action based on its consequences.
CONCEPT
Problems with Kantian Deontology
, 11
Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with utilitarianism?
Walt is looking for an ethical framework that places a high value on his culture's traditions.
Wendy is looking for an ethical framework that relies on the Torah for moral guidance.
Warren is looking for an ethical framework that never allows any kind of theft.
Walburga is looking for an ethical framework that is based in observable facts.
CONCEPT
Support for Utilitarianism
12
Which of the following pairs of goods are probably different in kind according to idealist utilitarianism?
All of the answer choices are correct.
A dog and a cat
My life and the life of my children
A polio vaccine and a syringe
CONCEPT
Hedonic and Idealist Utilitarianism
13
According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act impermissible?
My intention is bad.
The act is illegal.
My own needs are not met.
There is a negative outcome.
CONCEPT
Commitments of Kantian Deontology
14
Which of the following represents rule utilitarianism?
Opal grows lots of plants and flowers to help offset her carbon footprint.
Omar breaks into a large store because he needs food and the store's loss will be insignificant.
Odessa saves a drowning man because she knows his family needs him in order to be happy.
Oswald gives 10% of his income to charity because giving to charity generally brings about greater good.
CONCEPT
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
Utilitarianism
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
Supererogatory
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.
,
Jimmy does what he promised and gives Mr. Buckner’s fortune to the New York Knicks.
Jimmy decides to keep Mr. Buckner’s fortune for himself, as payment for all his work.
Jimmy breaks his promise to Mr. Buckner and uses the money to pay for an operation his mother needs.
CONCEPT
Advantages and Shortcomings of Utilitarianism
8
In Kantian deontology, the __________ must be derived from reason.
utility principle
categorical imperative
formal maxim
command theory
CONCEPT
Kantian Deontology
9
How might a Kantian deontologist evaluate a jury voting to convict someone they know is innocent because they
disagree with his political beliefs?
It is morally wrong because if all juries acted that way, the judicial system would cease to be about justice and become a
vehicle for political oppression.
It is morally wrong because if their motives are obvious, it could hurt their own party's reputation just to prevent just one
person from voting against them.
It is morally right because juries decide legal truth and can't be punished for any decisions they make.
It is morally right because the jurors' obligation to their party and their country are more important than one innocent
man's freedom.
CONCEPT
Applying Kantian Deontology
10
Which of the following represents a potential problem for Kantian deontology?
A person can get away with doing harm if it's culturally accepted.
A person can't use feelings to help guide his or her reasoning.
A person can get away with doing harm if he or she isn't caught.
A person can justify any action based on its consequences.
CONCEPT
Problems with Kantian Deontology
, 11
Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with utilitarianism?
Walt is looking for an ethical framework that places a high value on his culture's traditions.
Wendy is looking for an ethical framework that relies on the Torah for moral guidance.
Warren is looking for an ethical framework that never allows any kind of theft.
Walburga is looking for an ethical framework that is based in observable facts.
CONCEPT
Support for Utilitarianism
12
Which of the following pairs of goods are probably different in kind according to idealist utilitarianism?
All of the answer choices are correct.
A dog and a cat
My life and the life of my children
A polio vaccine and a syringe
CONCEPT
Hedonic and Idealist Utilitarianism
13
According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act impermissible?
My intention is bad.
The act is illegal.
My own needs are not met.
There is a negative outcome.
CONCEPT
Commitments of Kantian Deontology
14
Which of the following represents rule utilitarianism?
Opal grows lots of plants and flowers to help offset her carbon footprint.
Omar breaks into a large store because he needs food and the store's loss will be insignificant.
Odessa saves a drowning man because she knows his family needs him in order to be happy.
Oswald gives 10% of his income to charity because giving to charity generally brings about greater good.
CONCEPT
