Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics

Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics True/False Questions 1. The field of ethics is the study of how people try to live their lives according to a standard of “right” behavior. False 2. Moral standards are based on religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs by which judgments are made about good or bad behavior. True 3. Interestingly, individuals acquire their personal moral standards in the same way that they learn the alphabet. False 4. Instrumental value is pursued for its own sake, whether anything good comes from the pursuit or not. False 5. Intrinsic value is where the pursuit of that value is a good way to reach another value. False 6. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is the credo of the golden rule. True 7. The golden rule is shared by every religion in the world. False 8. Reliable ethics is a concept of living your life according to the achievement of a clear ideal. False 9. Utilitarianism is a belief in the ethical choices that offer the greatest good for the greatest number of people. True 10. Universal ethics argue that there are certain and universal principles that should apply to all ethical judgments. True 11. A weakness of universal ethics is that no one is held accountable for the consequences of the actions taken to abide by those principles. True 12. The study of how ethical theories are put into practice describes ethical dilemmas. False 13. An ethical dilemma occurs when there is no obvious “right” or “wrong” decision. True 14. The first step in solving an ethical problem is to analyze the problem. False 15. Arthur Dorbin identified 15 questions you should consider when resolving an ethical dilemma. False 1 Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics 16. The process of ethical reasoning involves looking at the information available to us to draw conclusions based on that information in relation to our own ethical standards. True 17. Preconventional is the lowest level of Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of ethical reasoning. True 18. The third stage of Kohlberg’s stages of ethical reasoning is law and order. False 19. An individual can jump beyond the next stage of his or her six stages, according to Kohlberg’s framework. False 20. Kholberg stated that it would be impossible for a person to comprehend the moral issues and dilemmas at a level so far beyond his or her life experience and education. True Multiple Choice Questions 21. _____ refers to a study of how people try to live their lives according to a standard of “right” or “wrong” behavior. A) Morality B) Ethics C) Virtuosity D) Philosophy 22. All of the following are sources of individuals’ moral standards except: A) Family B) Religion C) Government D) Friends 23. When individuals share similar standards in a community, we can use the term __________. A) moral system B) value system C) ethical system D) instrumental system 24. An ___________ is where a value is a good thing in itself and is pursued for its own sake. A) intrinsic value B) extrinsic value C) instrumental value D) external value 2 Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics 25. An __________ is where the pursuit of that value is a good way to reach another value. A) intrinsic value B) extrinsic value C) instrumental value D) external value 26. The impact of a person’s or a group’s ___________ can be seen in the extent to which their daily lives are influenced by those values. A) ethics B) morality C) religion D) value system 27. For some, the goal of living “an ethical life” is expressed by the _______ rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A) golden B) virtuous C) moral justice D) equality 28. The Greek philosopher Aristotle’s belief in individual character and integrity established the concept of ___________. A) philosophical ethics B) virtuous ethics C) moral ethics D) societal ethics 29. ___________ is a theory more focused on the outcome of your actions rather than the apparent virtue of the actions themselves. A) Ethics for the greater good B) Normative ethics C) Ethical relativism D) Utilitarianism 30. The problem with ________ is the idea that “the ends justify the means.” A) Ethics for the greater good B) Normative ethics C) Ethical relativism D) Utilitarianism 3 Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics 31. ___________ is a theory where your ethical principles are defined by the traditions of your society, your personal opinions, and the circumstances of the present moment. A) Ethics for the greater good B) Normative ethics C) Ethical relativism D) Utilitarianism 32. The study of how ethical theories are put into practice refers to __________. A) applied ethics B) normative ethics C) descriptive ethics D) meta-ethics 33. An ethical ____________ is a situation in which there is no obvious “right” or “wrong” decision, but rather a “right” or “right” answer. A) choice B) dilemma C) impasse D) preference 34. The second step in the three-step process for solving an ethical problem is _________. A) analyze the consequences B) analyze the problem C) make a decision D) analyze the actions 35. All of the following are questions identified by Arthur Dorbin to resolve an ethical dilemma except: A) What do your feelings tell you? B) What are the alternatives? C) What are the facts? D) What will you think of yourself if you decide one thing or another? 36. ___________ looks at the information available to us in resolving an ethical dilemma, and drawing conclusions based on that information in relation to our own ethical standards. A) Ethical framework B) Philosophical logic C) Ethical reasoning D) Moral reasoning 4 Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics 37. How many stages are in Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of ethical reasoning? A) 3 B) 5 C) 6 D) 7 38. The _________ stage is focused on the avoidance of punishment and deference to power and authority. A) “good boy/nice girl” orientation B) law and order orientation C) principled conscience D) obedience and punishment orientation 39. At the _________ stage, a person is focused on self-chosen ethical principles that are found to be comprehensive and consistent. A) “good boy/nice girl” orientation B) law and order orientation C) principled conscience D) obedience and punishment orientation 40. Kohlberg’s framework offers us a clearer view into the process of __________. A) resolving ethical dilemmas B) ethical reasoning C) ethical relativism D) applied ethics Essay Questions 41. Differentiate between intrinsic and instrumental value. Page: 5 LO: 1 Answer: Intrinsic value is where a value is a good thing in itself and is pursued for its own sake, whether anything good comes from the pursuit or not. An example would be happiness or health. Instrumental value is where the pursuit of that value is a good way to reach another value. For example, money is valued for what it can buy rather than for itself. 42. Name and discuss the three categories of ethical theories. Pages: 7-8 LO: 2 Answer: 5 Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics 1. Virtuous ethics: is a concept of living your life according to a commitment to the achievement of a clear ideal. 2. Ethics for the greater good: is a theory focused on the outcome of your actions rather than the apparent virtue of actions themselves. 3. Universal ethics: are actions taken out of duty and obligation to a purely moral ideal rather than based on the needs of the situation. 43. Discuss at least one weakness of each of the ethical theories. Pages: 7-8 LO: 2 Answer: 1. Virtuous ethics can create a real danger of value conflict. For example, Greek society at the time of Aristotle values wisdom, courage, and justice. By contrast, Christian societies value faith, hope, and charity. Therefore, a conflict can occur if the virtues you hope to achieve aren’t a direct reflection of the values of the society in which you live. 2. Ethics for the greater good places an emphasis on the idea that “the ends justify the means.” 3. Universal ethics focuses on abiding by a universal principle, however no one is accountable for the consequences of the actions taken to abide by these principles. 44. Identify the eight questions Arthur Dorbin offered that you should consider when resolving an ethical dilemma. Do you believe these questions could help you? Explain. Page: 12 LO: 6 Answer: 1. What are the facts? 2. What can you guess about the facts you don’t know? 3. What do the facts mean? 4. What does the problem look like through the eyes of people involved? 6 Chapter 1 Understanding Ethics 5. 6. 7. 8. What will happen if you choose one thing rather than another? What do your feelings tell you? What will you think of yourself if you decide one thing or another? Can you explain and justify your decision to others? The student answers to the second part will vary. 45. Describe briefly the three stages in Lawrence Kohlberg’s framework for ethical reasoning. Page: 13 LO: 6 Answer: 1. Preconventional: At the lowest level of moral development, a person’s response to a perception of right and wrong is initially directly linked to the expectations of punishment or reward. 2. Conventional: At this level, a person continues to become aware of broader influences outside of the family. 3. Post-conventional: At this highest level of ethical reasoning, a person makes clear effort to define principles and moral values that reflect an individual value system rather than simply reflecting the group position. 7