Chapter 8 Egoism and Moral Skepticism Verified Test Bank - Exploring Ethics 6e | Test Bank Cahn by Steven M. Cahn. DOCX document preview.
to accompany
Exploring Ethics, Sixth Edition
Cahn
Chapter 8
James Rachels
[NOTE: Questions marked with “*” also appear in the student self quizzes on Learning Link.]
Multiple Choice
1. Psychological egoism is the view that all people _______ selfish in everything they do.*
a. ought to be
b. are
c. Both a and b
d. Neither a nor b
2. According to Glaucon, the virtuous man who possessed Gyges’s ring would
a. behave no better than the rogue.
b. behave slightly better than the rogue.
c. behave significantly better than the rogue.
d. continue to act fully virtuously.
3. The view that a person is only obligated to pursue their own self-interest is known as*
a. psychological egoism.
b. ethical egoism.
c. narcissism.
d. solipsism.
4. According to Rachels, psychological egoism rests on which of the following confusions?
a. The notion that altruism is very rare
b. The notion that every action is done either from self-interest or selfishness
c. The confusion of selfishness with self-interest
d. Al of the above
5. In the story cited by Rachels, Abraham Lincoln claims to have acted selfishly in helping some pigs who had fallen in the mud because he*
a. would have lost his peace of mind if he hadn’t helped the pigs.
b. hoped to buy the pigs from the local farmer who owned them.
c. hoped to impress his traveling companion with his gesture of compassion.
d. All of the above
6. According to Rachels, if Smith wants to do something that will help his friend, even when it means forgoing his own enjoyments,
a. he acts selfishly.
b. he acts unselfishly.
c. he does what he ought to do.
d. he acts impermissibly.
7. What, according to Rachels, determines whether an action is selfish or not?*
a. The object of the action
b. The subjective desire motivating the action
c. The expected consequences of the action
d. All of the above
8. If a rational ethical egoist advocated principles of conduct to the general public, what kind of principles would they be?
a. Egoistic
b. Altruistic
c. Utilitarian
d. Hedonistic
9. What reason does Rachels give for not taking actions that would hurt other people?*
a. It is against our own interests to harm others.
b. It is to everyone’s advantage to live in a society in which the rights of all are respected.
c. It is inconsistent to harm others while insisting that they not harm us.
d. Such actions would hurt other people.
10. According to Rachels, the welfare of others is something that most of us
a. value indirectly.
b. value for the sake of something else.
c. value for its own sake.
d. value for our own sake.
True or False
11. Psychological egoism is a normative view.*
a. True
b. False
12. According to Rachels, people never voluntarily do anything except what they want to do.
a. True
b. False
13. According to Rachels, the unselfish person is precisely the one who derives satisfaction from helping others.*
a. True
b. False
14. Rachels argues that every action is motivated either by self-interest or concern for others.
a. True
b. False
15. According to Rachels, selfishness and self-interest are not the same thing.*
a. True
b. False
16. Rachels argues that if someone desires the welfare and happiness of another person, this means that this satisfaction is not the object of his desire.
a. True
b. False
17. The rational egoist cannot advocate that egoism be universally adopted.*
a. True
b. False
18. According to Rachels, the reason for pursuing policies that promote the welfare of human beings is simply that they are for the good of human beings.
a. True
b. False
19. Rachels believes that while the egoist is mistaken, proper philosophical argument can change her mind.
a. True
b. False
20. Rachels notes that there is no inconsistency in desiring that everyone, including oneself and others, be well-off and happy.
a. True
b. False
Essay
21. Are all our actions ultimately motivated by self-interest? Explain your view with reference to Rachels’s arguments and also spell out its ethical implications.
22. What, according to Rachels, is psychological egoism? What are the merits of psychological egoism? Do you think a version of this position is immune to Rachels’s criticisms? Explain your answer.
23. According to Rachels, the unselfish person is precisely the one who derives satisfaction from helping others. Why does Rachels believe that this poses problems for psychological egoism? Do you think he is correct about these problems? Why or why not?
24. What would you do if you possessed Gyges’s ring? What should you do if you possessed Gyges’s ring? Defend your answer to both questions.