Capella Sophia Ethics Milestones Complete Guide 2025

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between philosophy and science? Philosophy is concerned with how to understand and interpret scientific facts. Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between philosophy and science? Philosophy helps define concepts that are at the center of scientific study. Philosophy pursues truths that cannot be determined through empirical observation. Which of the following is a philosophical question? Is it possible for a computer to have free will? What would life on other planets mean for us? How much freedom should individuals have? Which of the following is a benefit of philosophy? Consistency is maintained between actions and beliefs. People learn to ask questions about the foundations of moral judgments. We learn to recognize and guard against bias Which step of philosophical inquiry has Amy just done? Identify positions on the question In order to approach the question philosophically, what should his first step be? Dan should ask, "What is a sport?" Which of the following actions represents the step, "Advance a Thesis"? A principal says students should focus more on academics than extracurricular activities. 3 Which one is the conclusion? Jeremy is financially irresponsible. Anthony is sick. Which of the following is an inductive argument? Lisa is an artist. Most artists are extremely talented. Therefore, Lisa is probably extremely talented. Which of the following is a deductive argument? Richard works out three days a week. Everyone who works out multiple times a week is strong. Therefore, Richard is strong. There is no circumstance under which my town will ever cancel fireworks on the Fourth of July. So even if it's pouring rain, the fireworks will happen. 4. Which of the following is a strong inductive argument? Matt is into 1980s hip-hop. Run DMC is one of the most popular hip-hop groups from the 1980s. Therefore Matt is into Run DMC's music. Amy works for a company called Dewey, Cheatum, and Livingston. Some of that company's employees are accountants. Amy is probably an accountant. Which type of argument is this? Weak inductive Everyone named Bethany has exquisite taste in furniture. My sister's name is Bethany. My sister therefore has exquisite taste in furniture. Which type of argument is this? Valid deductive Which of the following is an argument? Given my brother's passion for the outdoors, he would make a good forest ranger. Simon's restaurant receives the best reviews from local food critics. Therefore, Simon's restaurant is the best restaurant in the city. Shakespeare wrote The Tempest. The Tempest was written by an Englishman in the 1600s. Therefore, Shakespeare was an Englishman in the 1600s. Consider the following argument: (1) Since eating trans fat increases "bad" cholesterol, (2) and "bad" cholesterol is related to a number of heart problems, (3) eating trans fats is unhealthy. (4) Trans fats have no known health benefits. Which of the four numbered statements is the conclusion? lOMoAR cPSD| Which of the following statements is true of ethics? Professional and personal interactions depend on ethical behavior. Dave and Margaret have hosted Thanksgiving dinner every year for two decades. Despite their family's protests, they've decided not to host this year. Their decision is likely an example of a(n) action. Neutral An argument is strong and the premises are all true. Which of the following terms best describes the argument? Cogent An argument is weak, but the premises and conclusion are all true. Which of the following terms best describes the argument? Uncogent An argument is valid, but one of its premises is false. Which of the following terms best describes the argument? Unsound Which of the following statements is true of ethics? Ethics seeks to define the good and the bad. Which of the following statements is true of ethics? Ethics is about determining what is moral and what is immoral. Ethical topics are often closely related to issues of law, etiquette, or religion. Which of the following is an issue of law? Landlord Hank installs working smoke detectors in all of his properties. Which of the following is an ethical consideration for an employee who uses the work printer for personal projects? Does management approve of this behavior? Which of the following statements is an example of descriptive ethics Most people agree that bringing their pet bulls into china shops is morally wrong. Hank creates a concept map to compare how Kantian deontology and virtue-based ethics evaluate eating meat. This is an example of which branch of ethics? Metaethics Which of the following questions is an example of normative ethics? What obligation do children have to their aging parents? Jason sees a neighbor collapse from a heart attack on her front lawn. Which of the following decisions would likely constitute an obligatory action in that moment? Jason has his son call 911 while he begins CPR. Most academic institutions have severe penalties for students who attempt to pass off another's work as their own. Such academic dishonesty is thus generally considered to be a(n) action. Impermissible Which of the following statements reflects relativism? Jesse thinks that right is whatever a person feels comfortable doing. Which of the following statements reflects objectivism? Lorraine believes that murder is wrong, regardless of a person's culture Which of the following statements reflects conventionalism lOMoAR cPSD| 2 Torture is acceptable because we've been doing it here for many years. Prep Milestone 1 An argument is strong, and all its statements are true. 1 Which of the following terms best describes the argument? 2 Which of the following statements is true of ethics? 3 Which of the following statements reflects relativism? 4 Which of the following is a deductive argument? 5 Two musicians are discussing whether rap counts as music. In order to come to a conclusion, they decide to ask, "What is music?" 5 In order to continue their philosophical inquiry, what should their next step be? Ethics is often confused with issues of religion, social etiquette, and law. 6 Choose the action that is an issue of religion. • Hank opens the door for his wife when they go on a date. • The city repaired a pothole on the street in front of my house. • I go to church every Sunday. • I wear my wedding ring on my left hand. 7 Which of the following decisions would likely constitute a neutral action? (1) My baby is six months old. (2) Most babies get their first teeth around six months of age. (3) My baby will get her first tooth soon. Which of the three numbered statements (if any) is the conclusion? • 3 All three statements are premises. 8 Consider the following argument: lOMoAR cPSD| 9 Which of the following considerations is ethically relevant to an employee who stocks the break room snacks? • Who reimburses me for the snacks I buy? • Is it my place to force my coworkers to eat healthy? • What are my favorite kinds of snacks? • How much food do I need to get? 10 Katrina calls her grandmother every week because she believes it is her moral obligation. 10 Which branch of ethics is represented by this belief? 11 Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between philosophy and science? 12 All mammals have lungs. Iguanas have lungs. Iguanas are therefore mammals. Which type of argument is this? • Weak inductive • Valid deductive • Invalid deductive • Strong inductive 13 Which of the following is a benefit of philosophy? 14 Which of the following is an argument? 15 Which of the following is a philosophical question? OFFICIAL MILESTONE 1 1 Which of the following is an argument? 2 Which of the following is an inductive argument? 3 Which of the following statements about philosophy is true? 1 • My new cell phone charges to full capacity in 30 minutes. My best friend’s new cell phone does the same thing, and so does my sister’s. It follows that all new cell phones recharge in 30 minutes. • Bruce is not feeling well. If Bruce is ill, he will not be able to attend classes today. Therefore, Bruce will not attend classes today. • There are seven employees that are on assignment today. There are two employees that are in the office. There are no other employees. Therefore, there are nine employees. • Michael and Laura and their two children make a family of four. Michael and Laura have blond hair. Their children have blond hair, too. Thus, all members of the family have blond hair. lOMoAR cPSD| Killing whales is always wrong, no matter the reasoning. Most people believe in some form of utilitarianism. Boy Scouts have a moral obligation to help the elderly cross the street. 4 Ricardo and Monica volunteered to serve food at their church picnic during the 8-10 AM shift. At the end of their shift, they noticed that the kitchen was still pretty busy, so they continued to help through the next shift. Most people would likely say their decision is an example of a(n) action. Susan is studying the morality of taking terminally ill patients off life support. After thorough research and consideration of many different views, she argues that doctors have a moral obligation to use whatever means are available to preserve a patient's life. 5 Which step of philosophical inquiry has Susan done? 6 Which of the following is a weak inductive argument? 7 Many people confuse topics of religion, social etiquette, and law with ethical topics. Select the example related to law. 8 Which of the following considerations is relevant to a person whose elderly parents are sick but refuse to make an appointment at the doctor? 9 Which of the following is a benefit of philosophy? 10 Which of the following statements is an example of metaethics? 11 Which of the following is a philosophical question? 12Which of the following statements reflects conventionalism? Kantian deontology is the correct ethical theory. Moral truths differ from culture to culture. • Most nurses are good people. Andrew is a nurse. Andrew is probably a good person. • Krista's favorite composer is Tchaikovsky. Jason also likes Tchaikovsky. Jason and Krista probably have a lot in common. • Things that are blue are sad. The sky is blue, so it must be sad. • People who like wine think they're a big deal. Aaron thinks he's a big deal, so he must like wine. lOMoAR cPSD| An argument is strong and the conclusion is true, but both premises are false. 13 Which of the following terms best describes the argument? • Sound • Unsound • Uncogent • Cogent 14 Which of the following statements is true of ethics? Consider the following argument: 15 (1) Mortgage rates are at an all time low. (2) It is therefore a good time to buy a home. (3) Also, property values have been increasing over the last five years, and (4) a number of new homes in my neighborhood are for sale. Which of the four numbered statements is the conclusion? Unit 2 Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true? Divine command theory is an objectivist moral theory. Divine command theory states that what is right is wholly determined from God's command. Divine command theory states that God freely chooses what is right and what is wrong Norman learns from his pastor that God commands people to love one another. Thus according to divine command theory, loving one another is . Obligatory Oliver asks his rabbi if it's acceptable for him to swim in the ocean while visiting family in South Carolina. The rabbi tells him God has not said anything about swimming in the ocean. Thus according to divine command theory, swimming in the ocean is . Neutral Patricia abstains from eating pork because she believes God has commanded her to. Thus according to divine command theory, eating pork is . Impermissible Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory? God forbids lying, but most people think lying is acceptable if it does good. Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory? God says to forgive all people, but many crimes are thought to be unforgivable. God forbids eating meat from pigs, but many people say eating pork is a good thing. Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory? Divine command theory offers standards that originate outside of humanity Divine command theory provides a source for ethical standards. Divine command theory offers a firm basis for ethics. • Moral truths are universal. Objectivity is vital to ethical thought. lOMoAR cPSD| • In a well-known Biblical story, God sent Jonah on an errand to deliver a message. Instead, Jonah went to sea on a ship. There was a terrible storm and Jonah was thrown overboard to save the others. Then God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah and save him. According to divine command theory, was Jonah’s decision to go to sea a right or a wrong action? A wrong action because God had commanded Jonah to do something else In a popular Bible story, God intends to flood the earth and commands Noah to build an ark to preserve his family and all the animals. According to divine command theory, if Noah had refused to build the ark, would that have been a right action or a wrong action? A wrong action because that would have been denying God’s command • a.) No culture is morally better or worse than any other culture Which of the following is true of conventionalism? Conventionalism is not a single ethical theory, but a family of theories. Which of the following ideas does conventionalism profess? What is good in one culture could be evil in another Becky belongs to a culture in which arriving early is thought to be impolite. What would a conventionalist call this action in Becky's culture? Impermissible The common practice in Arnold's culture is to remove one's shoes when entering a house. What would a conventionalist call this action in Arnold's culture? Obligatory Charlie likes to put on elaborate theme parties on Friday evenings. Some people look down on him for doing so, but many people support and enjoy his parties. What would a conventionalist call this action in Charlie's culture? neutral Isabel moved with her elderly mother to a culture in which it is mandatory that adult children care for their parents. As her mother ages and requires more care, Isabel considers placing her in a facility so that she can continue thriving in her own profession. According to conventionalism, which action is most appropriate for Isabel to take? • She should continue to care for her mother in her own home. Since Eve and Adam sampled the fruit from the forbidden tree, according to divine command theory, was this a right action or a wrong action? Which of the following represents a challenge to the intellectualist option of divine command theory? i t goes against divine command theory's principle that God's command is free. Which of the following represents a challenge to the voluntarist option of divine command theory? If God changes, what is good and what is evil could also change Which of the following represents a challenge to divine command theory? Divine command theory does not offer directives for every situation. In a well-known Biblical story, Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden. They were allowed to eat anything they wished, except God forbade them from eating the fruit from one particular tree. Which of the following is a tenet of conventionalism? A wrong action because they disobeyed God’s command lOMoAR cPSD| According to conventionalism, which action is most appropriate for Carolyn? Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism? The boss, because speaking English is a societal norm in American culture. When visiting the Czech Republic, Carolyn takes her children to a public park and notices that her children are much noisier than their peers. Carolyn wonders if perhaps Eastern Europeans view public parks differently. Jeanney steals her neighbor's newspaper because she doesn't want to pay for one herself • Ingrid is looking for an ethical framework that respects local norms Henry is looking for an ethical framework that can account for disagreement on right and wrong. Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument? Premise 2 is false because many cultures agree on certain moral issues. Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument? • Premise 1 is false because disagreement does not mean there is no objective truth. Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument? Premise 1 is false because universal truths are not always easy to discover. Which statement expresses a shortcoming of conventionalism? there can be no intercultural evaluation of what is good Which of the following statements about egoism is true? Egoism is both a theory about how things are and about how things ought to be. Which type of egoism is the theory that humans should act according to their own best interests? Ethical egoism Which type of egoism is the theory that humans are only capable of acting in their own self interest? Psychological egoism Which of the following scenarios would be neutral for an egoist? Ignatius wants to see two movies, but only has time for one, so he flips a coin to decide. Which of the following scenarios would be impermissible for an egoist? • Which of the following scenarios would be obligatory for an egoist? . According to egoism, all of the following are important ideas to consider on the issue of gun control laws in the United States, EXCEPT . David hires a recent immigrant, Boris, from Russia as a computer tech in his company. Boris does not speak English well. David’s boss thinks this is a problem, but David does not. “He needs to learn the language if he’s going to live in America,” David's boss asserts. “But Boris doesn’t need to know the language in order to do his job,” returns David. According to conventionalism, who has the stronger ethical stance— David or his boss? • Hailey donates 10% of her paycheck to help feed the hungry out of a sense of duty, even though she would prefer to keep the money. lOMoAR cPSD| Egoism is objectivist because everyone inherently acts in their own self-interest. Egoism is relativist because what is good is relative to the norms of society. Egoism is objectivist because it uses self-interest as a criterion for what is right and wrong. Egoism is relativist because what is good is relative to an individual's self-interest. • God commands people to honor their parents, but mine are bad role models. Cheating on one’s spouse is widely rejected in most societies. How might an egoist complete this statement? Cheating on your spouse is permissible if . nothing bad happens to you as a result You are a mechanic who can make more money by diagnosing and repairing nonexistent car problems. How might an egoist complete this statement? Charging people for unnecessary repairs is . wrong, because running an honest business will earn you more money in the long run Which of the following statements supports egoism? It is a natural reaction in all humans to avoid pain or suffering. Important innovations are often made by those seeking their own self interests. Society benefits when individuals succeed. Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism? Respect for all people is often thought of as a good thing, but it is inconsistent with egoism. Empathy is often thought of a a good trait, but it's not consistent with egoism. Selfless heroism is often respected and admired, but it's not consistent with egoism. Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism? CONCEPT 2 Choose the statement that correctly identifies whether egoism is relativist or objectivist and why. CONCEPT 3 Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory? • an individual has an obligation to consider the safety of others Choose the action that is supported by egoism, but might seem unethical. Hiring a company to clean your neighbor's lot without their permission so your property value will increase. PRACTICE MILESTONE Neville is looking for an ethical framework that says there's more to being good than doing good actions. Norm is looking for an ethical framework that respects unfamiliar systems of ethics. Nellie is looking for an ethical framework that assigns intrinsic value to every person. Nicole is looking for an ethical framework that provides clear motivations for being good. lOMoAR cPSD| It's possible that there is no objective moral truth. It's possible that every culture is an island unto itself. It's possible that some cultures are just wrong about morality. It's possible that every culture's morality is true for its own members, but false for others. CONCEPT 4 Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument? CONCEPT 5 Gerard likes to lie in his garden and pretend he's a cabbage. His neighbors think it's kind of weird, but they agree that it's none of their business. What would a conventionalist call Gerard's action? CONCEPT 6 Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true? CONCEPT 7 Which of the following represents a challenge to divine command theory? CONCEPT 8 Which of the following scenarios would be impermissible for an egoist? God forbids tattoos, but many people think they're kind of cool. God says, "Woe to those who are rich," so some religious people take vows of poverty. God forbids murder, which is illegal almost everywhere. Supererogatory Obligatory Neutral Impermissible Divine command theory is also called theological pluralism. Divine command theory is not necessarily part of religious practice. Divine command theory states that moral truth is communicated but not invented by God. Divine command theory is relativist because what is good is relative to which sacred text is accepted. There is no good reason to follow God's commands. It obscures humanity's place in the world and relationship with the whole of creation. not. There is generally not a firm basis for morality, which is relative. It doesn't offer a firm basis for knowing which sacred texts are authentic and which are Norbert steals money from his parents' rainy day fund, knowing he'll never get caught. Nadine begrudgingly helps a coworker she doesn't like with a project. lOMoAR cPSD| CONCEPT Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory? CONCEPT 10 Sarah makes her famous chicken casserole for her new neighbors who have just moved to America from Asia. When her daughter Lily comes home and sees the casserole almost ready, she remarks, “Mom, didn’t you know? Where our new neighbors come from, they don't eat meat. You shouldn’t have made this!” Sarah replies, “I disagree! They live in America now and need to understand our customs!” According to conventionalism, which of the two - Sarah or Lily - has a better ethical stance? CONCEPT 11 Which of the following statements represents a conventionalist worldview? CONCEPT 12 Thomas goes to church on Sunday morning because he believes God has commanded him to do it. According to divine command theory, going to church on Sunday is thus . Nathan volunteers at a youth center because he enjoys making a difference. Noell has chicken for dinner because she had steak last night. 9 Divine command theory allows for some flexibility in what is right or wrong. Divine command theory gives commands for all possible actions. Divine command theory provides objective moral truths. Divine command theory is about bringing the best consequences. Sarah, because ethical values are determined by the local culture, not your old one. Lily, because what is right is determined by what is appropriate for the individual. Lily, because killing animals unnecessarily is wrong. Sarah, because she’s confident everyone loves her chicken casserole. "Be the change you'd like to see in the world." "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you." "The ends justify the means." "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." obligatory supererogatory impermissible neutral lOMoAR cPSD| CONCEPT Which of the following statements supports egoism? CONCEPT 14 Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism? CONCEPT 15 It is widely accepted that people should work hard to take care of their children. How might an egoist complete this statement? Working hard to take care of one's children is right because . • Milestone 1 Mai has moved to the United States from Myanmar. She does not know how to drive and is frightened by the freeways and traffic congestion. Her husband insists that she learn to drive because they live in a suburb with no public transportation. “No,” says Mai firmly. “I am 38 years old and I have always been able to reach my destination without driving a car.” According to conventionalism, who has the stronger ethical stance— Mai or her husband? 13 "Greed is good." "Nothing in life is free." "Take one for the team." "Right is right, even if everyone is wrong." Egoism does not do enough to help the agent. All people are egoists at heart; it's part of being human. Society does well when its individuals do well for themselves. Teamwork often produces better results for everyone involved. everyone has a responsibility to raise future generations it gives one a sense of pleasure and satisfaction most people believe it is the right thing to do the greater society places a high value on nurturing children • Her husband, because driving is a societal norm in the United States. lOMoAR cPSD| We are obligated to do a better job distributing food. Governments of poor nations are obligated to feed their citizens. We all have an obligation to ensure all people have access to food. Individuals are obligated to feed themselves. Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism? According to egoism, what might an egoist consider when faced with the issue of world hunger? Most people in Dave's culture volunteer an hour every other week at a local food shelf. In addition to this, Dave also helps coordinate volunteers and fills in for people who can't make their hour. What would a conventionalist call Dave's actions? Which of the following scenarios would be obligatory for an egoist? After moving to a new city, Rachel continues to support her hometown's baseball team. A friend tells her she has to support her new city's team, but Rachel points out that God hasn't said anything on the matter. In Rachel's view, her action is according to divine command theory. Mai, because she does not want to learn to drive. Her husband, because he cannot transport Mai everywhere she needs to go. Mai, because driving is not valued in her society like it is in the United States. Socially determined actions are usually more successful than self-determined actions. Cooperating with others is a social skill that egoists do not have an opportunity to learn. Individuals pursuing personal excellence often help a society to progress. Because good is determined by self-interest, the egoist cannot judge the actions of others. Obligatory Neutral Impermissible Supererogatory Michelle lets her husband decide what to eat since she's fine either way. Madison brings a wallet she found on the ground to the police station rather than keeping it for herself. Rather than take his dream vacation, Milo serves as a foster parent so children can have a stable home. Malachi sees an opportunity to cheat and get ahead at work, so he takes it. impermissible obligatory neutral supererogatory lOMoAR cPSD| Even if two cultures disagree, there can still be a right answer. Some cultures are descended from common ancestors. Morality is objective, so there are universal ethical truths. No two cultures have the same ethical framework. Which of the following statements would you expect to hear from a conventionalist? Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument? Which of the following represents a challenge to the intellectualist option of divine command theory? Which of the following statements supports egoism? Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism? 12 Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine command theory? 7 "The effects of an action on the culture determine its morality." "The most important culture is the world's culture." "A culture's customs are unrelated to ethical truths." "Morality cannot be compared across cultural borders." All actions should be aimed at the greater good of society. A society is more just if it distributes rewards to everyone equally. Working to meet the demands of the larger society can lead to prosperity. Self-determined ethics are more successful than ethics dictated by others. Keith is looking for an ethical framework that focuses on his own character. Karin is looking for an ethical framework that has a basis outside of humanity. Kelly is looking for an ethical framework that respects diverse traditions. Kayden is looking for an ethical framework that says, "Right is right, even if nobody is right." “God makes commands because they are good” implies that something beyond God’s free command makes things good. The intellectualist option states that ethics are not outside or above God, but ethics must be interpreted by God. The intellectualist option places a false dichotomy between ethics and religion, thereby saying God has no ethical authority. The intellectualist option is subjective, whereas divine command theory is supposed to be objective. lOMoAR cPSD| Psychological egoism Ethical egoism Philosophical egoism Logical egoism Divine command theory prioritizes intent over outcome. Divine command theory is about personal development. Divine command theory is often associated with motivations for being moral. Divine command theory aims to satisfy personal needs. Why is utilitarianism an objectivist or relativist theoryUtilitarianism is objectivist because it asserts that everyone should act to increase utility. 13 The idea that people ought to act only in their own self interest is part of what kind of egoism? 14 Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory? 15 Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true? UNIT 3 For a utilitarian, which consideration is most important? • The consequences of an action • Which of the following considerations is important for a utilitarian when evaluating the morality of an action? • How many people the action affects • 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? God commands that certain crimes be punished by death, but many people oppose capital punishment. God forbids lying, but I lie in pretty much every other sentence I say. God commands that we forgive everyone, so I told my brother that I still love him after he broke my car window. God forbade eating pork in the Torah, but in the book of Acts, he got rid of that prohibition. Divine command theory is central to all religious practice. Divine command theory is inherently relativist. Divine command theory states that good and evil are determined by the conventions of each particular religion. Divine command theory states that God's command is the only way to know right from wrong. lOMoAR cPSD| a.) According to Kantian deontology, which of the following would make an act permissible? My intention is good What is meant by the formulation of universal law?