Chapter 6 Self Quiz

. Consequentialism states that an action is right if and only if it

produces the best results.

gives people what they deserve.

does not harm anyone.

is good for more people than any alternative action.

. The principle of utility can be summarized as

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

“Do whatever is most useful in the circumstances.”

“Maximize overall well-being.”

“Always pursue your own self-interest.”

. Utilitarians believe that the morality of an action depends on

its expected results.

its actual results.

the goodness of one’s intentions.

all of the above

. What attitude do most utilitarians take toward non-human animals?

Their suffering does not matter morally.

Their suffering matters morally but not nearly as much as that of humans.

If an animal suffers to the same extent as a human, the animal’s suffering is equally important.

Animal suffering is morally more important than human suffering because animals are not moral agents.

. Being a member of the moral community means that you are

part of a society that has certain moral beliefs.

part of a group that acts morally.

morally virtuous.

are morally important in your own right.

. Utilitarians claim that

all moral action is supererogatory.

all self-interested action is supererogatory.

very few things are supererogatory.

no acts are supererogatory.

. If utilitarianism is true, it is

always acceptable to give preference to the interests of our family members.

never acceptable to give preference to the interests of our family members.

sometimes permissible to give preference to our family members, but only when doing so is most beneficial.

None of the above.

. Rule consequentialism is the view that

an action is morally right just because it is required by an optimific social rule.

acts are morally right if and only if they create the greatest amount of well-being.

we ought to usually follow consequentialism but may occasionally do otherwise for the sake of self-interest.

the best way to maximize happiness is to follow existing social rules.

. Which of the following responses to the problem of injustice is not consistent with utilitarianism?

Justice must sometimes be sacrificed for the sake of well-being.

Justice is intrinsically valuable.

Injustice is never optimific.

In almost every case, the just action will also be the one that maximizes well-being.

. Which is not an attraction of utilitarianism?

It is impartial

It makes it easy to acquire moral knowledge

It justifies many of our basic moral beliefs.

It helps us solve moral conflicts.

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