Civics Polity

Ethical Theories and Philosophy

2,350 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 general knowledge

We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us.

  1. Mahatma Gandhi

  2. Thomas Jefferson

  3. Aristotle

  4. J L Nehru
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The quote 'We should behave to our friends as we would wish our friends to behave to us' is from Aristotle's works on friendship and ethics. It reflects the reciprocity principle. Gandhi, Jefferson, and Nehru are not the source of this philosophical statement.

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

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

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.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the recommended theory of punishment in view of human rights?

  1. Reformative Theory

  2. Retributive Theory

  3. Preventive Theory

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

Reformative theory is the recommended theory of punishment in view of human rights. This theory is the most humane of all the theories which aim to reform the legal offenders by individual treatment. The idea behind this theory is that no one is a born criminal and criminals are also humans. Under this theory, it is believed that if the criminals are trained and educated, they can be transformed into law abiding citizens.

Multiple choice

Directions: The passage given below is followed by four alternative summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage. Key in the number of the option you choose as your answer.

In the notion of consequences, the Utilitarian includes all of the good and bad produced by the act, whether arising after the act has been performed or during its performance. If the difference in the consequences of alternative acts is not great, some Utilitarians do not regard the choice between them as a moral issue. According to Mill, acts should be classified as morally right or wrong only if the consequences are of such significance that a person would wish to see the agent compelled, not merely persuaded and exhorted, to act in the preferred manner.

  1. Acts that produce consequences of no significant difference tend to have minimal moral repercussions.

  2. Mill tried to distinguish “moral” acts through the outcomes of performance or during the process of performance.

  3. An urge to force an agent to toe a particular line causes his actions to fall in the realm of moral appraisal.

  4. It is the consequences ensuing from an action that determine the moral basis of the agent.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  1. Not true. If two acts are identical in terms of their consequences, it cannot be said that they have no moral repercussions. The topic, here, is whether the act is morally right or wrong.
    1. True. This is what Mill did. However, the essence is not captured, as “why” and “how” are not captured by the option.
    2. True. This captures the main point of the paragraph. Whenever an agent is forced to act in a particular manner, the act needs to be evaluated from a moral standpoint.
    3. Not true. If the consequences are identical, then the moral basis need not be determined.