Civics Polity

Ethical Theories and Philosophy

2,306 Questions

Ethical theories and philosophy explore concepts such as Kantianism, virtue ethics, and altruism. This area examines how moral compasses are developed and how individual conscience guides decision making. It forms a vital part of general studies and civil services aptitude tests.

Kantian ethicsVirtue ethicsMoral developmentAltruism theoriesJustice and fairness

Ethical Theories and Philosophy Questions

Multiple choice
Directions: In the following question, an incomplete statement is provided. Select the option which most logically completes the idea in the question statement.
Objective individualism is not selfishness but it reflects ______________________.

  1. a ruthless determination and will-power

  2. enlightened self-interest

  3. sheer altruism and benevolence

  4. a sense of gratuity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Look at the keyword 'but', it implies that you have to find an answer choice which is in contrast to information in given sentence. We have to find here something to contrast with selfishness which can be matched with meaning of individualism. (1) is in same flow as term selfishness, thereby cannot be considered. (3) is opposite to selfishness but cannot be matched with individualistic character of a person. (4) is irrelevant in given context. Only (2), enlightened self-interest correctly matches the term 'objective individualism'.

Multiple choice

According to Piaget, young children's moral judgments are

  1. governed by a concern for other's feelings

  2. governed by a concern for their own feelings

  3. influenced by the intentions of others

  4. governed by a respect for adults and for adults rules
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Piaget proposed that young children's moral reasoning is heteronomous - governed by respect for authority and strict adherence to rules. They focus on consequences rather than intentions, and obedience to adults is paramount. Moral realism, not concern for others' feelings or intentions, characterizes this stage.

Multiple choice

What is utilitarianism?

  1. A philosophical approach according to which laws are valid only if they benefit the greater good

  2. The idea that all individuals should benefit equally from law's usefulness

  3. The idea that collective good prevails over individual rights

  4. All of the above

  5. Both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(3) Utilitarian thinkers do not argue that laws which do not benefit the greater good are invalid, but that a law is a good law only if it maximises the happiness or well-being of the greater number.

Multiple choice

What is utilitarianism?

  1. A philosophical approach according to which laws are valid only if they benefit the greater good

  2. The idea that all individuals should benefit equally from law's usefulness

  3. The idea that the collective good prevails over individual rights

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Utilitarian thinkers do not argue that laws, which do not benefit the greater good are invalid, but that a law is a good law only if it maximises the happiness or well-being of the greater number. As such, the idea that all individuals should benefit equally from a given law is the opposite view to the utilitarian view.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘cognitive science’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. Study of human activities

  2. Study of mind and intelligence

  3. Study of life processes

  4. Study of mental disabilities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Cognitive is what helps you to recognize.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘rational’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. disgusting

  2. sensible

  3. humane

  4. noble
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rational is well-reasoned or sensible.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘intuition’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. doubt

  2. mistrust

  3. perception

  4. knowledge
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Intuition is inner feeling or perception.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘analyze’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. interpret

  2. examine

  3. assume

  4. accept

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In the phrase 'consciously analyse the alternatives,' analyse means to examine or study the options carefully. 'Examine' is the closest synonym. 'Interpret' is different (giving meaning), 'assume' means taking without proof, and 'accept' means agreeing without analysis.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘ethical’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. moral

  2. essential

  3. decent

  4. critical
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In 'ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour,' ethical refers to moral principles. 'Moral' is the correct synonym. 'Essential' means necessary, 'decent' means appropriate/acceptable, and 'critical' means crucial or important - none capture the moral dimension.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘consensus’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. vote

  2. agreement

  3. breakdown

  4. noise
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In 'growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition,' consensus means general agreement or shared opinion. 'Agreement' is the correct meaning. 'Vote' is a decision mechanism, 'breakdown' is opposite, and 'noise' is irrelevant.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘philosophies’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Most of us have been taught that ethical thinking, decisions and behaviour is a product of logic and reason, and void of emotions and feelings. But there is a growing consensus that moral judgments are based largely on intuition —‘gut feelings' about what is right or wrong in particular cases. Sometimes these intuitions cause conflict, both within and between individuals. Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have assumed that humans are rational creatures. When we make a decision, we are supposed to consciously analyse the alternatives and carefully weigh the pros and cons. This simple idea underlies the philosophies of Plato and Descartes; it forms the foundation of modern economics; it drove decades of research in cognitive science. Over time, rationality came to define us. It was, simply put, what made us human.

  1. research

  2. attitude

  3. wisdom

  4. ethics
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Philosophy is a study of wisdom same as philology is a study of languages.

Multiple choice

Fiction theory is related to which one of the following concepts

  1. Legal Personality

  2. Ownership

  3. Liability

  4. Justice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Fiction Theory (also known as Concession Theory) states that the state creates corporations as legal personalities by conceding or granting them recognition as artificial persons. This theory treats corporate personality as a legal fiction created by law, not a natural fact. It's the opposite of the Realist Theory which treats corporations as real human associations.

Multiple choice

Kohlberg specifies that the thinking process involved in judgements about questions of right and wrong is _________.

  1. moral realism

  2. moral dilemma

  3. morality co-operation

  4. moral reasoning

  5. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Kohlberg defined moral reasoning as judgments about right and wrong. His studies of moral reasoning are based on the use of moral dilemmas, or hypothetical situations in which people must make a difficult decision. Kohlberg defined a subject's level of moral reasoning from the reasoning used to defend his or her position when faced with a moral dilemma. He thought this more important than the actual choice made, since the choices people make in such a dilemma are not  always clearly and indisputably right.