PHL 200 Intro to Ethics Exam 2025/2026 | Complete
Test Bank for Philosophy and Ethics | Verified
Questions and Answers with Rationales | Final
Exam, Midterm, and Quiz Prep | College Philosophy
PHL200, PHIL 200, Intro Ethics Study Guide with
Practice Questions
Question 1: In a moral dilemma where one must choose between lying to protect a
friend or telling the truth and causing them harm, which ethical theory would most
likely support lying?
A) Deontological ethics
B) Virtue ethics
C) Utilitarianism (Correct Option)
D) Ethical relativism
RATIONALE: Utilitarianism would support lying if it results in greater overall happiness
for the friend.
Question 2: Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the principle of moral
absolutism?
A) Always telling the truth, regardless of the consequences (Correct Option)
B) Choosing to lie if it benefits more people
C) Adjusting moral standards based on cultural context
D) Evaluating actions solely based on their outcomes
RATIONALE: Moral absolutism holds that certain actions are universally right or wrong,
regardless of circumstances.
Question 3: If a society adopts ethical relativism, what implication does this have
for moral judgments across cultures?
A) All moral standards are equally valid.
B) No universal moral truths exist. (Correct Option)
C) Some cultures must dominate others.
D) Moral progress is impossible.
RATIONALE: Ethical relativism suggests that moral truths depend on cultural contexts,
negating the existence of universal moral standards.
Question 4: In Kantian ethics, what is the significance of the "kingdom of ends"?
,A) A society where everyone acts for their own benefit
B) A moral community where individuals treat each other as ends (Correct Option)
C) A government established on utilitarian principles
D) A state of moral chaos
RATIONALE: The "kingdom of ends" refers to a moral community where individuals
respect each other's autonomy and dignity.
Question 5: Which philosopher argued that moral actions are determined by their
ability to promote human flourishing?
A) Immanuel Kant
B) John Stuart Mill
C) Aristotle (Correct Option)
D) Friedrich Nietzsche
RATIONALE: Aristotle's virtue ethics emphasizes actions that cultivate human
flourishing through the development of virtuous character traits.
Question 6: In ethical egoism, what is the primary consideration for determining
the morality of an action?
A) The well-being of society
B) The adherence to moral duties
C) The benefit to oneself (Correct Option)
D) The consequences for others
RATIONALE: Ethical egoism posits that actions are morally right if they promote one's
own self-interest.
Question 7: What is the primary criticism of utilitarianism regarding the treatment
of minorities?
A) It lacks practical applications.
B) It is too rigid and dogmatic.
C) It can justify sacrificing minority rights for majority happiness. (Correct Option)
D) It does not consider individual happiness.
RATIONALE: A key criticism of utilitarianism is that it can lead to the neglect or violation
of the rights of minority groups in favor of majority happiness.
Question 8: In the context of moral philosophy, what does the term "moral luck"
refer to?
,A) Luck determining the morality of one's actions
B) The idea that factors beyond one's control affect moral judgment (Correct Option)
C) Random chance affecting ethical decision-making
D) The belief that morality is purely subjective
RATIONALE: "Moral luck" suggests that outcomes influenced by luck can affect how we
judge the morality of actions.
Question 9: How does the "veil of ignorance" concept, proposed by John Rawls,
contribute to ethical decision-making?
A) It encourages selfish behavior.
B) It focuses on individual rights over collective good.
C) It promotes fairness by removing personal biases from moral choices. (Correct
Option)
D) It prioritizes the majority's happiness in decision-making.
RATIONALE: The "veil of ignorance" encourages decision-makers to consider justice
and fairness without personal biases, as they do not know their own position in society.
Question 10: Which ethical theory would most likely argue that breaking a promise
is acceptable if it results in a better outcome for most people?
A) Deontological ethics
B) Virtue ethics
C) Utilitarianism (Correct Option)
D) Contractualism
RATIONALE: Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their consequences, allowing
for breaking a promise if it maximizes overall good.
Question 11: In virtue ethics, what role do emotions play in ethical decision-
making?
A) They are irrelevant to moral reasoning.
B) They should be strictly controlled.
C) They guide individuals toward virtuous actions. (Correct Option)
D) They complicate moral judgments.
RATIONALE: In virtue ethics, emotions are seen as important guides that can help
individuals recognize and pursue virtuous actions.
, Question 12: A company decides to prioritize profit over environmental concerns.
Which ethical perspective does this decision most closely align with?
A) Utilitarianism
B) Ethical egoism (Correct Option)
C) Deontological ethics
D) Virtue ethics
RATIONALE: Ethical egoism supports actions that maximize self-interest, such as
prioritizing profit over ethical considerations.
Question 13: What is the main tenet of social contract theory regarding moral
obligations?
A) Morality is inherent and universal.
B) Moral obligations arise from agreements among individuals. (Correct Option)
C) Morality is based solely on outcomes.
D) Ethical principles are subjective.
RATIONALE: Social contract theory holds that moral obligations are derived from the
agreements individuals make within a society.
Question 14: In ethical discussions, what is the "trolley problem" primarily used to
illustrate?
A) The importance of legal standards
B) The necessity of emotional responses
C) The conflict between utilitarian and deontological ethics (Correct Option)
D) The relevance of cultural norms
RATIONALE: The trolley problem presents a moral dilemma that highlights the tension
between utilitarian and deontological ethical frameworks.
Question 15: Which ethical approach emphasizes the importance of intentions
rather than outcomes in determining moral worth?
A) Consequentialism
B) Deontology (Correct Option)
C) Utilitarianism
D) Virtue ethics
RATIONALE: Deontological ethics focuses on the intentions behind actions as the basis
for moral evaluation, rather than their outcomes.
Test Bank for Philosophy and Ethics | Verified
Questions and Answers with Rationales | Final
Exam, Midterm, and Quiz Prep | College Philosophy
PHL200, PHIL 200, Intro Ethics Study Guide with
Practice Questions
Question 1: In a moral dilemma where one must choose between lying to protect a
friend or telling the truth and causing them harm, which ethical theory would most
likely support lying?
A) Deontological ethics
B) Virtue ethics
C) Utilitarianism (Correct Option)
D) Ethical relativism
RATIONALE: Utilitarianism would support lying if it results in greater overall happiness
for the friend.
Question 2: Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the principle of moral
absolutism?
A) Always telling the truth, regardless of the consequences (Correct Option)
B) Choosing to lie if it benefits more people
C) Adjusting moral standards based on cultural context
D) Evaluating actions solely based on their outcomes
RATIONALE: Moral absolutism holds that certain actions are universally right or wrong,
regardless of circumstances.
Question 3: If a society adopts ethical relativism, what implication does this have
for moral judgments across cultures?
A) All moral standards are equally valid.
B) No universal moral truths exist. (Correct Option)
C) Some cultures must dominate others.
D) Moral progress is impossible.
RATIONALE: Ethical relativism suggests that moral truths depend on cultural contexts,
negating the existence of universal moral standards.
Question 4: In Kantian ethics, what is the significance of the "kingdom of ends"?
,A) A society where everyone acts for their own benefit
B) A moral community where individuals treat each other as ends (Correct Option)
C) A government established on utilitarian principles
D) A state of moral chaos
RATIONALE: The "kingdom of ends" refers to a moral community where individuals
respect each other's autonomy and dignity.
Question 5: Which philosopher argued that moral actions are determined by their
ability to promote human flourishing?
A) Immanuel Kant
B) John Stuart Mill
C) Aristotle (Correct Option)
D) Friedrich Nietzsche
RATIONALE: Aristotle's virtue ethics emphasizes actions that cultivate human
flourishing through the development of virtuous character traits.
Question 6: In ethical egoism, what is the primary consideration for determining
the morality of an action?
A) The well-being of society
B) The adherence to moral duties
C) The benefit to oneself (Correct Option)
D) The consequences for others
RATIONALE: Ethical egoism posits that actions are morally right if they promote one's
own self-interest.
Question 7: What is the primary criticism of utilitarianism regarding the treatment
of minorities?
A) It lacks practical applications.
B) It is too rigid and dogmatic.
C) It can justify sacrificing minority rights for majority happiness. (Correct Option)
D) It does not consider individual happiness.
RATIONALE: A key criticism of utilitarianism is that it can lead to the neglect or violation
of the rights of minority groups in favor of majority happiness.
Question 8: In the context of moral philosophy, what does the term "moral luck"
refer to?
,A) Luck determining the morality of one's actions
B) The idea that factors beyond one's control affect moral judgment (Correct Option)
C) Random chance affecting ethical decision-making
D) The belief that morality is purely subjective
RATIONALE: "Moral luck" suggests that outcomes influenced by luck can affect how we
judge the morality of actions.
Question 9: How does the "veil of ignorance" concept, proposed by John Rawls,
contribute to ethical decision-making?
A) It encourages selfish behavior.
B) It focuses on individual rights over collective good.
C) It promotes fairness by removing personal biases from moral choices. (Correct
Option)
D) It prioritizes the majority's happiness in decision-making.
RATIONALE: The "veil of ignorance" encourages decision-makers to consider justice
and fairness without personal biases, as they do not know their own position in society.
Question 10: Which ethical theory would most likely argue that breaking a promise
is acceptable if it results in a better outcome for most people?
A) Deontological ethics
B) Virtue ethics
C) Utilitarianism (Correct Option)
D) Contractualism
RATIONALE: Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their consequences, allowing
for breaking a promise if it maximizes overall good.
Question 11: In virtue ethics, what role do emotions play in ethical decision-
making?
A) They are irrelevant to moral reasoning.
B) They should be strictly controlled.
C) They guide individuals toward virtuous actions. (Correct Option)
D) They complicate moral judgments.
RATIONALE: In virtue ethics, emotions are seen as important guides that can help
individuals recognize and pursue virtuous actions.
, Question 12: A company decides to prioritize profit over environmental concerns.
Which ethical perspective does this decision most closely align with?
A) Utilitarianism
B) Ethical egoism (Correct Option)
C) Deontological ethics
D) Virtue ethics
RATIONALE: Ethical egoism supports actions that maximize self-interest, such as
prioritizing profit over ethical considerations.
Question 13: What is the main tenet of social contract theory regarding moral
obligations?
A) Morality is inherent and universal.
B) Moral obligations arise from agreements among individuals. (Correct Option)
C) Morality is based solely on outcomes.
D) Ethical principles are subjective.
RATIONALE: Social contract theory holds that moral obligations are derived from the
agreements individuals make within a society.
Question 14: In ethical discussions, what is the "trolley problem" primarily used to
illustrate?
A) The importance of legal standards
B) The necessity of emotional responses
C) The conflict between utilitarian and deontological ethics (Correct Option)
D) The relevance of cultural norms
RATIONALE: The trolley problem presents a moral dilemma that highlights the tension
between utilitarian and deontological ethical frameworks.
Question 15: Which ethical approach emphasizes the importance of intentions
rather than outcomes in determining moral worth?
A) Consequentialism
B) Deontology (Correct Option)
C) Utilitarianism
D) Virtue ethics
RATIONALE: Deontological ethics focuses on the intentions behind actions as the basis
for moral evaluation, rather than their outcomes.
