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