Unit 1 of 5
Study guide for DSST DSST Ethics in America — Unit 1: Ethical Traditions and Theories. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.
19
Practice Questions
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Flashcards
6
Key Topics
Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 19.
Dr. Smith, a physician, is faced with a difficult decision. Her patient, an elderly man, is in need of a liver transplant, but there is only one liver available. Another patient, a young mother, also needs the liver transplant. Dr. Smith must decide who will receive the transplant. From a utilitarian perspective, which of the following options would be the most ethical choice?
Answer: D — The correct answer is D) because from a utilitarian perspective, the most ethical choice is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being. In this scenario, giving the liver to the young mother would prevent greater harm to her dependents and society, thus maximizing overall well-being. Option A is incorrect because it prioritizes the elderly man's right to die with dignity over the greater good. Option B is incorrect because it prioritizes the young mother's potential years of life over the greater good. Option C is incorrect because it introduces an arbitrary and random element into the decision-making process, rather than considering the overall well-being of all parties involved.
A politician is faced with a decision to either support a policy that benefits the majority but harms a minority or to support a policy that benefits the minority but harms the majority. Which ethical tradition would prioritize the well-being of the majority?
Answer: A — Utilitarianism prioritizes actions that maximize overall happiness or well-being, which in this case would be the policy that benefits the majority. Virtue Ethics focuses on the character of the individual, Deontology prioritizes adherence to moral rules, and Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom and choice, making them less relevant to this specific scenario.
A journalist discovers that a local government official is embezzling funds, but the official is also a key figure in a community development project that has greatly improved the lives of many residents. The journalist must decide whether to expose the official's wrongdoing, potentially harming the community, or to keep the information secret, allowing the official to continue their unethical behavior. Which of the following ethical traditions would most likely support the journalist's decision to expose the official's wrongdoing?
Answer: B — Deontological ethics, as an ethical tradition, emphasizes the importance of adhering to moral rules and duties, regardless of the consequences. In this scenario, the journalist's duty to report the truth and uphold journalistic integrity would take precedence over the potential harm to the community. In contrast, virtue ethics (B) might prioritize the journalist's character traits, such as compassion and fairness, but would not necessarily lead to the decision to expose the official's wrongdoing. Care ethics (C) would likely prioritize the well-being of the community, leading to the decision to keep the information secret. Existentialist ethics (D) would emphasize the journalist's individual freedom and choice, but would not provide a clear moral framework for making the decision.
A company is considering the moral implications of its actions and decides to prioritize the well-being of its employees and the environment. This approach is most closely aligned with which ethical tradition?
Answer: B — Virtue ethics emphasizes the development of good character traits and moral virtues, which is reflected in the company's decision to prioritize the well-being of its employees and the environment. Utilitarianism (A) focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being, but may not necessarily prioritize individual well-being. Egoism (B) prioritizes self-interest, which is not aligned with the company's decision. Existentialism (D) emphasizes individual freedom and choice, but does not necessarily prioritize the well-being of others.
Dr. Smith, a physician, is faced with a difficult decision regarding the treatment of a patient who is in a coma and has no chance of recovery. The patient's family is divided on whether to continue life-sustaining treatment or to withdraw it. Dr. Smith believes that the patient would not want to continue suffering and would want to die with dignity. However, the hospital's policy requires that life-sustaining treatment be continued as long as possible. Which of the following approaches best reflects Dr. Smith's ethical perspective in this situation?
Answer: A — Dr. Smith's perspective is best reflected by Consequentialism, as he is considering the potential consequences of his actions and prioritizing the patient's dignity and quality of life. This approach focuses on the outcomes of actions, rather than adhering to strict moral rules or considering the patient's character. Utilitarianism (A) is incorrect because Dr. Smith is not prioritizing the overall well-being of the patient's family, but rather the patient's own dignity and quality of life. Deontology (B) is incorrect because Dr. Smith is not following a strict moral rule, but rather considering the specific circumstances of the case. Virtue Ethics (C) is incorrect because Dr. Smith is not considering the patient's character and values, but rather the potential consequences of his actions.
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