Intro to Ethics – PHIL 200 Unit 3 Questions and Answers,100% CORRECT

Intro to Ethics – PHIL 200 Unit 3 Questions and Answers 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? Answer: All of the answer choices are correct. Which of the following people would likely be satisfied with utilitarianism? Answer: Trevor is looking for an ethical framework that considers the needs of others. Ursula is looking for an ethical framework that is based on empirically discoverable facts. Vincent is looking for an ethical framework that benefits the most people possible. Richard is trying to decide whether or not to donate to a fund to save children in Africa from a recent famine. His friend suggests taking a utilitarian approach to the issue, so Richard makes a list of possible actions he could take. Choose the statement from Richard’s list that reveals a possible problem with utilitarianism. Answer: If I don’t donate, I’m responsible for the death of a child. Rosemary has been asked to make a large donation to purchase mosquito netting to reduce the threat of malaria in Africa. Her husband suggests she take a utilitarian approach to the issue, so Rosemary makes a list of possible actions she could take. Choose the action from Rosemary’s list that reveals a possible problem with utilitarianism. Answer: I will be responsible for additional deaths from malaria if I do not donate. Ira has been asked to donate a large sum of money to fund a school for girls in a Middle Eastern country. His wife suggests he take a utilitarian approach to the issue, so Ira makes a list of possible actions he could take. Choose the action from Ira’s list that reveals a possible problem with utilitarianism. Answer: I would feel responsible for denying girls an education if I do not donate the money. Which statement describes a disadvantage of utilitarianism? Answer: People have a natural tendency to show favoritism toward loved ones. Decisions are not made quickly because decision-makers must consider who will be affected. Which statement describes an advantage of utilitarianism? Answer: It is good for people to consider the effects of their actions on others. Unit 3 Challenge 2 The categorical imperative is a concept in Kantian deontology that fulfills the role of a(n) that is binding for all people in all circumstances. Answer: moral law Which statement about Kantian deontology is true? Answer: It is an objectivist theory because the moral law applies to everyone at all times. It is an objectivist theory because ethics is independent of circumstances and must be the same for everyone. According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act permissible? Answer: My intention is good. It doesn't violate the categorical imperative. According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act impermissible? Answer: It violates the categorical imperative. What is meant by the formulation of universal law? Answer: Acting according to a maxim everyone can use When evaluating an act according to Kantian deontology, which do we evaluate? Answer: The maxim The statement,