PHI 240 Final Study Guide Questions
with 100% Correct Answers
What is Singer referring to when he states that the situation in East Bengal is not
inevitable? - Answer- The suffering that occurs as a result of situations like famine is
preventable
What is the purpose of Singer's example of the drowning child? - Answer- This example
illustrates Singer's moral principle being put into practice
Which of the following statements is not consistent with the traditional view of charity? -
Answer- If I can help others, but I choose not to do so, that is wrong
According to Singer, if on donates money to a relief organization, such as those helping
the victims of situations like that in East Bengal, one has performed a charitable act -
Answer- False
Which of the following best represents the moral principle that is the basis of Singer's
argument? - Answer- IF we can prevent something and from happening without
significant sacrifice on our part, we ought to do it
According to Singer, the fact that someone is physically near us to may make it more
likely that we will help them, but it does not show that we ought to help them rather than
someone who is further away - Answer- True
What does Singer mean by the irrelevance of distance with respect to his argument? -
Answer- If we have the ability to help someone who is suffering, it does not matter how
far away they are from us
Which of the following statements is most consistent with Mill's conception of strict
impartiality? - Answer- The happiness of those effected by one's actions must be
considered equally
The following statement is consistent with Mill's position on the role of sacrifice in the
utilitarian morality: "I realized that my current phone is working fine so I decided not to
buy a new one. Since I did not spend money unnecessarily on something I don't really
need, the greater good has been served." - Answer- False
Based on Singer's argument, no actions involving helping those who suffer can be
regarded as charitable actions - Answer- False
, What does Singer mean by the irrelevance of proximity with respect to his argument? -
Answer- Our obligation to help those who are suffering is not contingent upon the
presence of others who can also help
According to Mill, which of the following represents the ideal of utilitarian morality? -
Answer- To love one's neighbor as oneself
The following statement is consistent with Singer's argument: "I realized that my current
phone is working fine so I decided not to buy a new one. Since I did not spend money
unnecessarily on something I don't really need, the greater good has been served." -
Answer- False
One should give to those in need up to the point where giving any more would no longer
be helpful and might actually be detrimental." This statement best reflects which of the
following concepts? - Answer- Marginal utility
Which of the following statements best reflects the paradox of hedonism? - Answer- If
you spend your time pursuing pleasure directly, you are less likely to obtain it
Which of the following statements best reflects what are called instrumental goods? -
Answer- Something that has value to the degree it allows one to achieve goods of
higher value
Which of the following statements best reflects the concern about true happiness or
false happiness in living the hedonistic life? - Answer- "My friend is happy because they
believe that everyone loves their singing, but everyone actually hates their singing and
my friend is completely unaware of this fact, so their happiness is false happiness"
The supposed paradox of hedonism does not pose a serious challenge to the ethic
theory of hedonism for which of the following reasons? - Answer- Although the pursuit of
happiness itself might make it less likely that one would achieve happiness, it does not
refute the idea that happiness is worth pursuing
Hedonists believe that happiness requires pleasure, but pleasure itself is not
necessarily happiness - Answer- True
Hedonists believe that happiness is beneficial to one's life - Answer- True
Which of the following statements offers the best definition of the ethical theory
hedonism? - Answer- One should attempt to live a life in which there is as much
pleasure as possible and as little pain as possible
Hedonists would agree with which of the following statements? - Answer- A life of
happiness based on lies is as desirable as a life of happiness based on the truth
with 100% Correct Answers
What is Singer referring to when he states that the situation in East Bengal is not
inevitable? - Answer- The suffering that occurs as a result of situations like famine is
preventable
What is the purpose of Singer's example of the drowning child? - Answer- This example
illustrates Singer's moral principle being put into practice
Which of the following statements is not consistent with the traditional view of charity? -
Answer- If I can help others, but I choose not to do so, that is wrong
According to Singer, if on donates money to a relief organization, such as those helping
the victims of situations like that in East Bengal, one has performed a charitable act -
Answer- False
Which of the following best represents the moral principle that is the basis of Singer's
argument? - Answer- IF we can prevent something and from happening without
significant sacrifice on our part, we ought to do it
According to Singer, the fact that someone is physically near us to may make it more
likely that we will help them, but it does not show that we ought to help them rather than
someone who is further away - Answer- True
What does Singer mean by the irrelevance of distance with respect to his argument? -
Answer- If we have the ability to help someone who is suffering, it does not matter how
far away they are from us
Which of the following statements is most consistent with Mill's conception of strict
impartiality? - Answer- The happiness of those effected by one's actions must be
considered equally
The following statement is consistent with Mill's position on the role of sacrifice in the
utilitarian morality: "I realized that my current phone is working fine so I decided not to
buy a new one. Since I did not spend money unnecessarily on something I don't really
need, the greater good has been served." - Answer- False
Based on Singer's argument, no actions involving helping those who suffer can be
regarded as charitable actions - Answer- False
, What does Singer mean by the irrelevance of proximity with respect to his argument? -
Answer- Our obligation to help those who are suffering is not contingent upon the
presence of others who can also help
According to Mill, which of the following represents the ideal of utilitarian morality? -
Answer- To love one's neighbor as oneself
The following statement is consistent with Singer's argument: "I realized that my current
phone is working fine so I decided not to buy a new one. Since I did not spend money
unnecessarily on something I don't really need, the greater good has been served." -
Answer- False
One should give to those in need up to the point where giving any more would no longer
be helpful and might actually be detrimental." This statement best reflects which of the
following concepts? - Answer- Marginal utility
Which of the following statements best reflects the paradox of hedonism? - Answer- If
you spend your time pursuing pleasure directly, you are less likely to obtain it
Which of the following statements best reflects what are called instrumental goods? -
Answer- Something that has value to the degree it allows one to achieve goods of
higher value
Which of the following statements best reflects the concern about true happiness or
false happiness in living the hedonistic life? - Answer- "My friend is happy because they
believe that everyone loves their singing, but everyone actually hates their singing and
my friend is completely unaware of this fact, so their happiness is false happiness"
The supposed paradox of hedonism does not pose a serious challenge to the ethic
theory of hedonism for which of the following reasons? - Answer- Although the pursuit of
happiness itself might make it less likely that one would achieve happiness, it does not
refute the idea that happiness is worth pursuing
Hedonists believe that happiness requires pleasure, but pleasure itself is not
necessarily happiness - Answer- True
Hedonists believe that happiness is beneficial to one's life - Answer- True
Which of the following statements offers the best definition of the ethical theory
hedonism? - Answer- One should attempt to live a life in which there is as much
pleasure as possible and as little pain as possible
Hedonists would agree with which of the following statements? - Answer- A life of
happiness based on lies is as desirable as a life of happiness based on the truth
