Sample exam questions

For Contemporary Moral Problems Exam #1, F08

 

Objective:

  1. Which of the following is true under Psychological Egoism?
    1. We ought to act out of self interest
    2. We always act out of self interest
    3. Both (a) and (b)
    4. Neither (a) nor (b)

 

2.     Consider the following argument:

i.      Infants born with certain severe abnormalities are not persons.

ii.     We have no moral obligations to preserve the lives of non-persons.

iii.    Therefore, it is permissible to allow such infants to die.

 

Which of the following is an objection to this argument?

a.   The survival of the infant would bring more pleasure than pain to the world.

b.  How could a person not be a human?

c.   Our moral obligations extend beyond only persons.

d.  We must follow the law and the law prohibits killing.

 

3.     A supererogatory action is

a.     an action that falls short of one’s moral obligation

b.    an action that exceeds one’s moral obligation

c.     an action that merely meets one’s moral obligation

a.     an action performed in response to another’s obligation

 

Short Essay:

  1. What is the “Euthyphro problem?”

 

  1. Would you expect a Utilitarian to walk away from Omelas?

 

3.     According to a Cultural Relativist, would it be morally permissible for you to cheat on this exam? According to a Natural Law Theorist? (see answer outline below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answering #6:

For an answer to receive full credit, it would need to do all of the following

i.              State what cultural relativism is

ii.             Explain what cultural relativism entails

iii.            Apply it to your situation

iv.            State what natural law theory is

v.             Explain what natural law entails

vi.            Apply it to your situation