Religious Studies 361 - Contemporary Ethical Issues » Fall 2021 » Midterm 1 (2)
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Question #1
Weston argues that engaging in ethics involves mastering learnable skills. Which of the following would NOT be considered one of these skills?
A.
thinking constructively
B.
thinking systematically
C.
thinking simplistically
D.
thinking creatively
Question #2
Which is TRUE of dogmatic thinking?
A.
keeping an open mind
B.
avoiding name calling
C.
using categorical language when describing ethical issues
D.
avoiding bumper sticker simplicity
Question #3
Automatic excuse making or defensiveness describes
A.
relativism
B.
dogmatism
C.
sound ethical thinking
D.
offhand self-justification
Question #4
Deciding any moral opinion is as good as the next is characteristic of
A.
dogmatism
B.
relativism
C.
sound ethical thinking
D.
offhand self justification
Question #5
Weston suggests we grow the most in our ethical understanding when our thinking is challenged. Which of the following is NOT a way to challenge our thinking according to Weston?
A.
seek out challenges
B.
aim to live more comfortably
C.
seek out people with whom you do not agree
D.
let challenges stretch your mind
Question #6
Which of the following is NOT a way Weston suggests we make ethics a learning experience?
A.
limit your experience to what you know is true
B.
pursue the facts
C.
welcome change
D.
welcome challenges
Question #7
Which of the following is UNTRUE of rules?
A.
rules may conflict
B.
rules replace the need to think
C.
rules make life simpler
D.
rules are rough guides and have exceptions
Question #8
Weston argues that even moral rules like not stealing and telling the truth have conflicts and exceptions. Which of the following is NOT an example used by Weston of this concept?
A.
lying to hide fugitive slaves
B.
Jean Valjean stealing to feed a starving child
C.
lying to get out of trouble for something you’ve done wrong
D.
lying to shelter fugitives from the Nazis
Question #9
Examples of biblical rules we generally no longer follow include
A.
not wearing garments made out of blended material
B.
not eating shrimp and lobster
C.
not eating bacon
D.
all of these
Question #10
In the story of the destruction of Sodom from Genesis 19 which of the following statements is UNTRUE according to Weston?
A.
the main point of the story is not clear
B.
women were considered property of their fathers or husbands
C.
some of the values were different then than they are now
D.
the biblical prophet Ezekial says Sodom was destroyed because of their homosexuality
Question #11
Which of the following is UNTRUE of the story of Abraham and God in Genesis 18 as described by Weston?
A.
Abraham bargains with God,
B.
Abraham agrees that Sodom should be destroyed
C.
Abraham thinks for himself
D.
God listened to Abraham
Question #12
Which of the following is UNTRUE of moral values?
A.
include fairness, equality, responsibility, and respect
B.
may be organized into ethical theories
C.
describe the legitimate expectations of ourselves and others
D.
include greed, lust, and gluttony
Question #13
Which of the following is UNTRUE of Utilitarianism?
A.
aims for the greatest balance of happiness over pain of suffering as a whole in the long run
B.
focuses on happiness
C.
originated with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
D.
seeks the greatest good of the smallest number
Question #14
Which is UNTRUE of how Utilitarianism understands “happiness”?
A.
it is a rational aim
B.
it is essentially social
C.
it is short term
D.
it is concerned with the well being of others
Question #15
Which of the following is UNTRUE of the Ethics of the Person?
A.
advocated by Immanuel Kant
B.
advocated by Martin Buber
C.
regards persons as supremely valuable
D.
believes individuals should be viewed as a “means to an end” and not “ends in themselves”
Question #16
Ethics of the Person advocates all of the following EXCEPT
A.
equality for individuals regardless of gender, race or class
B.
reduction of social pain and suffering
C.
moral and legal rights of the individual
D.
Kant’s Categorical Imperative
Question #17
Aristotle would argue that the essential virtue of a hunting dog is that the dog
A.
not be frightened by loud noises
B.
be quiet
C.
like to hunt
D.
be a color that blends in with the surroundings
Question #18
Which of the following is TRUE of Aristotle’s teaching on Virtue Ethics
A.
virtues are traits that express and fulfill our rational nature
B.
moral virtues are character traits that fulfill our essence as human beings
C.
all of these are true
D.
by growing in these virtues we achieve our potential as humans
Question #19
Which is UNTRUE of a problem solver’s mindset
A.
it focuses on shared interests rather than hard-line positions
B.
it is legalistic and judgmental
C.
it strives to get all sides as much as possible of what they want
D.
it makes the problem the problem
Question #20
Which is UNTRUE according to the textbook about “either/or” thinking?
A.
it presents polarizing and irresolvable positions
B.
the media tends to minimize “either/or” thinking
C.
it is an overly simplistic and extreme approach
D.
it is an adversarial “winner take all” approach
Question #21
Weston uses the example of abortion in his discussion of conflicting values. Which of these statements would Weston DISAGREE with?
A.
all pro-life advocates oppose abortion in all cases, even rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk
B.
all of us are both pro-life and pro-choice in a general sense
C.
both pro-life and pro-choice share many essential values, although they may prioritize these values differently
D.
many pro-choice advocates are conflicted about abortion and although they would not choose it for themselves think it is a necessary option for others
Question #22
Weston uses the example of assisted suicide in his discussion of conflicting values. Which of the following statements are TRUE according to the textbook?
A.
all of these are true
B.
Kant (Ethics of the person) argues against assisted suicide
C.
utilitarianism argues in favor of assisted suicide
D.
virtue theory argues against assisted suicide
Question #23
Weston’s concept of constructive problem solving does NOT include
A.
trying to take into account the values on all sides
B.
finding the best balance between values at stake
C.
picking the side you personally like the best
D.
finding ways the underlying values and interests of both sides can be co-achieved
Question #24
Which of the following is UNTRUE of “moral vision” as described in the Weston text?
A.
it is a positive and appealing longer term alternative
B.
it looks forward to a future and more complete resolution
C.
it “pushes” us towards a moral minimum by nagging us to do something
D.
it finds a way of enthusiastically going forward together
Question #25
Which of the following is TRUE of the “I have a dream” portion of the Martin Luther King speech?
A.
it was an improvisation and not planned in his original speech
B.
it occurs at the end of his speech in the lasts only five minutes
C.
all of these are true
D.
it is an excellent example of proclaiming a moral vision
Question #26
Which of the following is UNTRUE regarding Weston’s concept of creative problem solving in ethics
A.
it seeks to reframe the problem
B.
it is essential for practical problem solving
C.
it seeks to limit the possibilities
D.
it helps solve ethical problems by going beyond the norm
Question #27
Which of the following is NOT a method for getting your thinking out of a rut or what Weston refers to as a “creative provocation”?
A.
full steam ahead method
B.
reversal
C.
random word method
D.
exaggeration
Question #28
Looking to other places and times for answers is a way Weston suggests for finding answers to ethical problems. Which of the following is NOT an example provided in the Weston text of this method?
A.
abortion and animal research in Japan
B.
homelessness in other cultures
C.
carefully administered hallucinogenic drugs
D.
seven generation decision making of the American Indians
Question #29
Weston provides ways of reframing ethical problems. The example of fertility clinics requiring a designated embryo owner is an example of which of the following ways to reframe a problem?
A.
revisit outlying parts of the problem
B.
ask if the problem can be prevented
C.
none of these
D.
view problems as a growth opportunity to be welcomed
Question #30
A “dilemma” is
A.
each side’s “solution” is unacceptable to the other side
B.
a problem with two sharply opposed options
C.
all of these
D.
thought to be impossible to solve
Question #31
Which of the following is UNTRUE of “dilemmas” according to the textbook?
A.
Weston uses Heinz’s dilemma as an example
B.
Weston suggests we assume problems, even “dilemmas,” are solvable
C.
Weston maintains that dilemmas are indeed unsolvable
D.
Weston uses Sartre’s young friend as an example
Question #32
Giving more to others by buying less for ourselves and living more simply is an example of making a difference in the area of
A.
ethics and what we eat
B.
ethics and money
C.
ethics and sex
D.
ethics and work
Question #33
What we do with food packaging and household trash is a consideration in which of the following ethical areas?
A.
ethics and what we eat
B.
ethics and money
C.
ethics and sex
D.
ethics and work
Question #34
Staying open to questions that intrigue or unsettle us is an example of which of Weston’s three virtues for being more ethically minded?
A.
explicitness
B.
none of these
C.
attention
D.
patience
Question #35
Taking manageable steps when we decide to make an ethical change in our life is an example of which of Weston’s three virtues for being more ethically minded?
A.
attention
B.
explicitness
C.
patience
D.
none of these
Question #36
Answering the question, “What specific moral values drive and define who you are?” is an example of
A.
patience
B.
explicitness
C.
attention
D.
none of these
Question #37
A.
Mandela
B.
Muhammed Yunus
C.
Gandhi
D.
Anita Roddick
Question #38
Who imagined that South Africans could forgive the apartheid regime for its oppression?
A.
Anita Roddick
B.
Mandala
C.
Gandhi
D.
Mohammed Yunus
Question #39
An argument is
A.
a conditional statement
B.
one or more premises which are intended to prove or support a conclusion
C.
a report
D.
an illustration
Question #40
Which of the following is a premise indicator?
A.
thus
B.
if follows that
C.
consequently
D.
because
Question #41
Which of the following is a conclusion indicator?
A.
given that
B.
since
C.
for
D.
therefore
Question #42
Which logical fallacy dismisses an argument by attacking the person that made the argument?
A.
two wrongs make a right
B.
attacking the motive
C.
a personal attack (ad hominem)
D.
look who’s talking (tu quoque)
Question #43
The fallacy committed when an arguer distorts an opponent’s argument to make it weak and thus easier to attack is
A.
red herring
B.
scare tactics
C.
straw man
D.
bandwagon argument
Question #44
The fallacy committed when an arguer espouses two logically contradictory claims is
A.
inconsistency
B.
slippery slope
C.
hasty generalization
D.
weak analogy
Question #45
The fallacy of citing an expert, who there is good reason to believe is unreliable is
A.
false alternatives
B.
loaded question
C.
in appropriate appeal to authority
D.
appeal to ignorance
Question #46
Which of the following steps for standardizing an extended argument is FALSE?
A.
put the conclusion first
B.
fill in missing premises or conclusions
C.
number the steps of the argument
D.
write in complete sentences
Question #47
When paraphrasing an extended argument, which of the following is NOT true?
A.
be accurate and don’t misrepresent
B.
take what is unclear and make it clear
C.
be charitable
D.
try to use as many words as the original argument
Question #48
Which of the following is TRUE of a good argument?
A.
it is a persuasive argument
B.
it is well written or well spoken
C.
it is logically correct, i.e. either deductively sound or inductively cogent
D.
it agrees with my views
Question #49
Which of the following is NOT a legitimate way to refute another’s argument?
A.
determine if it is possible to refute statements by citing counterexamples
B.
determine if it is possible to attack the motives of the opposition
C.
determine if it is possible to refute a weak claim by reducing it to absurdity
D.
determine if it is possible to refute or weaken arguments with countervailing evidence
Question #50
Which of the following is NOT recommended before writing your first draft of an argumentative essay?
A.
know your audience
B.
choose and broaden your topic
C.
know yourself
D.
write a sentence that expresses your claim
Question #51
Which of the following is NOT true of a thesis statement?
A.
include some detail on how you will defend your thesis
B.
the thesis statement is the most important premise defending your conclusion
C.
limit your thesis statement to what you will defend
D.
the more clearly, precisely, and up front you state your thesis the better
Question #52
Which of the following is NOT one of the last steps to turning in your final draft?
A.
edit your work for grammatical mistakes
B.
hand it in only once it is perfect
C.
show your work to someone else for their honest opinion
D.
consider what you have not written, i.e. what you have left out of your paper
Question #53
Asking a librarian for guidance is an example of?
A.
encyclopedias
B.
government documents
C.
human sources
D.
dictionaries
Question #54
Which of the following is NOT true?
A.
statistics, surveys, obscure facts, and unique descriptions or examples need a citation
B.
well known facts and quotes do not need citation
C.
direct quotes requires a citation
D.
a paraphrase of another’s work does not need a citation
Question #55
When evaluating the work of an author and the publisher which of the following is NOT true?
A.
ascertain the author’s bias and purpose
B.
evaluate the author’s sources
C.
assume if it has been written and published that it is true
D.
determine the author’s background
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