The Nature of Ethical Disagreement Ch.10 Exam Questions - Exploring Ethics 6e | Test Bank Cahn by Steven M. Cahn. DOCX document preview.
to accompany
Exploring Ethics, Sixth Edition
Cahn
Chapter 10
The Nature of Ethical Disagreement
Charles L. Stevenson
[NOTE: Questions marked with “*” also appear in the student self quizzes on Learning Link.]
Multiple Choice
1. Stevenson distinguishes between disagreement in*
a. belief and attitude.
b. belief and interpretation.
c. attitude and preference.
d. interpretation and religion.
2. Stevenson cites two men’s conflict over where to have dinner as an example of disagreement in
a. value.
b. interpretation.
c. belief.
d. attitude.
3. If I am confident that Candidate O will become the next president, and you suspect it will be Candidate M, we have a disagreement of*
a. value.
b. interpretation.
c. belief.
d. attitude.
4. According to Stevenson, ethical conflict usually involves
a. disagreement in belief only.
b. disagreement in both belief and attitude.
c. disagreement in attitude only.
d. None of the above
5. Stevenson claims that disagreements in belief can be resolved by*
a. the methods of the sciences.
b. attitudinal changes.
c. moving oratory.
d. All of the above
6. Differences in attitude may persist despite complete agreement in beliefs due to
a. differences in personal temperament.
b. early training.
c. social status.
d. All of the above
7. According to Stevenson, the belief that science can always settle arguments about value is*
a. a pipe dream.
b. a useful heuristic maxim.
c. well founded.
d. indisputably true.
True or False
8. Ethical arguments usually involve disagreement predominately in belief.*
a. True
b. False
9. An argument that is concerned with attitudes is necessarily a disagreement in attitude.
a. True
b. False
10. Disagreement in attitude determines what beliefs are relevant to an ethical argument.*
a. True
b. False
11. Ethical arguments can often be resolved without the two parties reaching agreement in belief.
a. True
b. False
12. Stevenson thinks that the methods of science should have undisputed sway in normative ethics.*
a. True
b. False
13. If all our beliefs agree, it follows that we will agree in attitude as well.*
a. True
b. False
14. Any belief that is introduced into an argument about values is likely to bring about a difference in attitude.*
a. True
b. False
15. Stevenson argues that agreement in attitude tends to promote the resolution of ethical argument, whether or not disagreement in belief remains.
a. True
b. False
Essay
16. Explain Stevenson’s view of the role that science can play in resolving an ethical disagreement. Do you agree with his assessment? Why or why not? Cite some concrete examples of scientific beliefs having an impact on ethical conflicts.
17. How might you try to resolve a bitter disagreement between two of your friends over who the next president should be? In explaining your position, be sure to address Stevenson’s arguments about the nature of ethical conflict.
18. Stevenson describes a dispute between two people choosing where to eat dinner. How does this illustrate the distinction between disagreement in attitude and disagreement in belief? What other examples demonstrate this point?