Southern New Hampshire University
PHL-212 Intro to Ethics
Exam 14 questions and answers
1
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?
Lily, because killing animals unnecessarily is wrong.
Lily, because what is right is determined by what is appropriate
for the individual.
Sarah, because she’s confident everyone loves her chicken
casserole.
Sarah, because ethical values are determined by the local
culture, not your old one.
CONCEPT
Applying Conventionalism
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2
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 .
neutral
obligatory
impermissible
supererogatory
CONCEPT
Commitments of Divine Command Theory
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3
Which of the following represents a difficulty with egoism?
Society does well when its individuals do well for themselves.
Teamwork often produces better results for everyone involved.
Egoism does not do enough to help the agent.
All people are egoists at heart; it's part of being human.
CONCEPT
Problems with Egoism
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4
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 .
most people believe it is the right thing to do
everyone has a responsibility to raise future generations
the greater society places a high value on nurturing children
it gives one a sense of pleasure and satisfaction
CONCEPT
Applying Egoism
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5
Which of the following is an advantage of divine command theory?
Divine command theory provides objective moral truths.
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 is about bringing the best consequences.
CONCEPT
Support for Divine Command Theory
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6
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?
Obligatory
Supererogatory
Neutral
Impermissible
CONCEPT
Commitments of Conventionalism
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7
Which of the following statements represents a conventionalist worldview?
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
"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."
CONCEPT
Conventionalism
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8
Which of the following scenarios would be impermissible for an egoist?
Nadine begrudgingly helps a coworker she doesn't like with a
project.
Nathan volunteers at a youth center because he enjoys making
a difference.
Noell has chicken for dinner because she had steak last night.
Norbert steals money from his parents' rainy day fund, knowing
he'll never get caught.
CONCEPT
Commitments of Egoism
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9
Which of the following statements supports egoism?
CONCEPT
"Right is right, even if everyone is wrong."
"Greed is good."
"Take one for the team."
"Nothing in life is free."
Support for Egoism
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10
Choose the statement that correctly identifies whether egoism is relativist or objectivist
and why.
Egoism is relativist because what is good is relative to an
individual's self-interest.
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.
CONCEPT
Egoism
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11
Which of the following statements about divine command theory is true?
Divine command theory is relativist because what is good is
relative to which sacred text is accepted.
Which of the following represents a challenge to divine command theory?
It obscures humanity's place in the world and relationship with
the whole of creation.
There is no good reason to follow God's commands.
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 not.
CONCEPT
Refutations of Divine Command Theory
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13
Which of the following examples contains a disagreement between popular thought and divine
command theory?
God forbids murder, which is illegal almost everywhere.
God says, "Woe to those who are rich," so some religious people
take vows of poverty.
God forbids tattoos, but many people think they're kind of cool.
God commands people to honor their parents, but mine are bad
role models.
CONCEPT
Applying Divine Command Theory
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14
Which of the following people would most likely be satisfied with conventionalism?
Neville is looking for an ethical framework that says there's more
to being good than doing good actions.
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.
Which of the following observations poses a challenge to the cultural differences argument?
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 every culture's morality is true for its own
members, but false for others.
It's possible that some cultures are just wrong about morality.
CONCEPT
Problems with Conventionalism
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