ETHICS IN AMERICA DSST EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
What are the three modern ethical theories? - ANSWER: Metaethics, normative
ethics, and applied ethics.
What theory concentrates on the origins and constructs of ethics, including God,
society, and satisfying emotion? - ANSWER: Metaethics.
What is the more "practical" ethical theory, concentrating on our standards of
behavior and duties to others? - ANSWER: Normative
What ethical theory involves specific issues such as abortion, environmentalism, war,
homosexuality, capital punishment and similar topics. - ANSWER: Applied
What two topics are prominent in metaethics? - ANSWER: (1) metaphysical issues:
concerning whether morality exists independently of humans, and (2) psychological
issues: concerning the underlying mental basis of our moral judgments and conduct.
What topics comprise metaphysical ethics issues? - ANSWER: Relativism and
Objectivism.
What system of ethics holds that ethical standards exist as absolutes outside the
physical in a sort of spiritual realm? - ANSWER: Objectivism. And other-worldly.
What system of ethics holds that ethical standards are constructs of society? -
ANSWER: Relativism. And this-worldly.
What philosopher likened ethics and morals to spirit-like objects that exist as
abstractions? Such as math (1+1=2) - ANSWER: Plato.
In Plato's view can moral abstractions be altered? - ANSWER: No. Plato's view was
that moral and ethical ideas existed as abstract concepts such as math. Humans can't
change numbers and math (1+1 will always equal 2) and he believed morals existed
in the same realm.
Medieval philosophers believed morals were "eternal law." Would this be a
worldly/relativism view or an other-worldly/objective view? - ANSWER: Objective
view/other-worldly. Medieval philosophers relied on superstition and religion to
define morality.
17th Century British philosopher ________ likened morals to spiritual "relationships"
rather than spiritual objects. - ANSWER: Samuel Clarke
Scripture and "God's Will," and divine commands such as "murder is wrong," are
called ... - ANSWER: Divine command theory or voluntarism.
, One medieval philosopher who believed in divine commands was ... - ANSWER:
William of Ockham
A metaphysical philosopher of the Middle Ages who believed in libertarian ideals
such as separation of church and state and who also believed that the simplest
explanation is most likely the correct one: - ANSWER: William of Ockham
Skeptics such as _____________ did not deny moral values only that they were
divine or willed by God. - ANSWER: Sextus Empericus
Skepticism forms a basis for moral __________ - ANSWER: relativism.
Moral relativism is split into two categories: - ANSWER: Individual relativism and
cultural relativism.
Friedrich Nietzsche argued that an individual created his own morality. This ties in
with the "becoming" of a superman. This creation of morality distinct from society is:
- ANSWER: Individual relativism
Relativism that is determined by society, such as acceptance of homosexuals,
matricide, abortion, etc. is: - ANSWER: Cultural relativism
Three cultural relativists: - ANSWER: Sextus Empiricus, Michel Montaigne, and
William Graham Sumner
What philosopher believed that happiness is the basis of philosophy. To be happy
one must grow in the knowledge of God not by satisfaction of goods. - ANSWER:
Augustine of Hippo
What philosophy holds that we are fully responsible for what becomes of us, that we
are hurling ourselves toward our own future, and we are responsible for our own
ethics, not God. - ANSWER: Existentialism, especially the works of Sartre
An attacker gives up his right to life. Self-defense theory is covered by what
philosophy: - ANSWER: Forfeiture
Prominent stoic philosopher - ANSWER: Epictetus
What philosophy believes the virtuous life is the only way to attain happiness and
that vice leads to unhappiness. (Also, objectivism/other-worldly) - ANSWER: Stoicism
Who determined there were four cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude,
justice) and three theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity)? - ANSWER: Thomas
Aquinas
Who said, "Good is to be done and promoted and evil is to be avoided?" - ANSWER:
Thomas Aquinas. This concept has to do with the blending of virtue, theology, law,
What are the three modern ethical theories? - ANSWER: Metaethics, normative
ethics, and applied ethics.
What theory concentrates on the origins and constructs of ethics, including God,
society, and satisfying emotion? - ANSWER: Metaethics.
What is the more "practical" ethical theory, concentrating on our standards of
behavior and duties to others? - ANSWER: Normative
What ethical theory involves specific issues such as abortion, environmentalism, war,
homosexuality, capital punishment and similar topics. - ANSWER: Applied
What two topics are prominent in metaethics? - ANSWER: (1) metaphysical issues:
concerning whether morality exists independently of humans, and (2) psychological
issues: concerning the underlying mental basis of our moral judgments and conduct.
What topics comprise metaphysical ethics issues? - ANSWER: Relativism and
Objectivism.
What system of ethics holds that ethical standards exist as absolutes outside the
physical in a sort of spiritual realm? - ANSWER: Objectivism. And other-worldly.
What system of ethics holds that ethical standards are constructs of society? -
ANSWER: Relativism. And this-worldly.
What philosopher likened ethics and morals to spirit-like objects that exist as
abstractions? Such as math (1+1=2) - ANSWER: Plato.
In Plato's view can moral abstractions be altered? - ANSWER: No. Plato's view was
that moral and ethical ideas existed as abstract concepts such as math. Humans can't
change numbers and math (1+1 will always equal 2) and he believed morals existed
in the same realm.
Medieval philosophers believed morals were "eternal law." Would this be a
worldly/relativism view or an other-worldly/objective view? - ANSWER: Objective
view/other-worldly. Medieval philosophers relied on superstition and religion to
define morality.
17th Century British philosopher ________ likened morals to spiritual "relationships"
rather than spiritual objects. - ANSWER: Samuel Clarke
Scripture and "God's Will," and divine commands such as "murder is wrong," are
called ... - ANSWER: Divine command theory or voluntarism.
, One medieval philosopher who believed in divine commands was ... - ANSWER:
William of Ockham
A metaphysical philosopher of the Middle Ages who believed in libertarian ideals
such as separation of church and state and who also believed that the simplest
explanation is most likely the correct one: - ANSWER: William of Ockham
Skeptics such as _____________ did not deny moral values only that they were
divine or willed by God. - ANSWER: Sextus Empericus
Skepticism forms a basis for moral __________ - ANSWER: relativism.
Moral relativism is split into two categories: - ANSWER: Individual relativism and
cultural relativism.
Friedrich Nietzsche argued that an individual created his own morality. This ties in
with the "becoming" of a superman. This creation of morality distinct from society is:
- ANSWER: Individual relativism
Relativism that is determined by society, such as acceptance of homosexuals,
matricide, abortion, etc. is: - ANSWER: Cultural relativism
Three cultural relativists: - ANSWER: Sextus Empiricus, Michel Montaigne, and
William Graham Sumner
What philosopher believed that happiness is the basis of philosophy. To be happy
one must grow in the knowledge of God not by satisfaction of goods. - ANSWER:
Augustine of Hippo
What philosophy holds that we are fully responsible for what becomes of us, that we
are hurling ourselves toward our own future, and we are responsible for our own
ethics, not God. - ANSWER: Existentialism, especially the works of Sartre
An attacker gives up his right to life. Self-defense theory is covered by what
philosophy: - ANSWER: Forfeiture
Prominent stoic philosopher - ANSWER: Epictetus
What philosophy believes the virtuous life is the only way to attain happiness and
that vice leads to unhappiness. (Also, objectivism/other-worldly) - ANSWER: Stoicism
Who determined there were four cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude,
justice) and three theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity)? - ANSWER: Thomas
Aquinas
Who said, "Good is to be done and promoted and evil is to be avoided?" - ANSWER:
Thomas Aquinas. This concept has to do with the blending of virtue, theology, law,
