Meta-Ethics: Exploring the Foundations of Morality

Question 1

What is the primary focus of meta-ethical inquiry?

Accepted Answer

Examining the logical structure of moral statements

Answer

Analyzing the practical application of moral principles

Answer

Assuming that moral truths are objective and universally valid

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Exploring the psychological factors that influence moral decision-making

Question 2

According to David Hume, what is the relationship between reason and morality?

Accepted Answer

Reason has no role in morality.

Answer

Reason is the only source of moral knowledge.

Answer

Reason can justify moral beliefs.

Answer

Reason can discover moral truths.

Question 3

Which of the following is a type of ethical cognitivism?

Accepted Answer

Moral realism

Answer

Moral pluralism

Answer

Moral skepticism

Answer

Moral nihilism

Question 4

According to existentialism, what is the meaning of life?

Accepted Answer

To create one's own meaning through one's actions and choices.

Answer

To fulfill one's purpose given by God.

Answer

To obey the moral law.

Answer

To achieve happiness.

Question 5

Which of the following is a meta-ethical theory that denies the existence of objective moral values?

Accepted Answer

Moral non-cognitivism

Answer

Moral realism

Answer

Naturalism

Answer

Deontology

Question 6

According to moral cognitivism, moral judgments are statements that can be:

Accepted Answer

True or false

Answer

Expressions of emotion

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Subjective preferences

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Commands or requests

Question 7

Who argued that moral language is a form of emotive language that expresses feelings and attitudes rather than making objective statements?

Accepted Answer

A.J. Ayer

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

G.E. Moore

Answer

John Stuart Mill

Question 8

What is the primary distinction between moral realism and moral anti-realism?

Accepted Answer

Realists hold that moral properties exist independently of our minds, whereas anti-realists contend that they are mind-dependent.

Answer

Realists believe moral judgments are objective, while anti-realists view them as subjective.

Answer

Realists assert that moral values are absolute, whereas anti-realists maintain that they are relative.

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Realists argue that morality is grounded in reason, while anti-realists contend that it is rooted in emotion.

Question 9

What is the central idea behind meta-ethical reductionism?

Accepted Answer

Moral judgments can be explained by underlying non-moral facts or properties.

Answer

Moral properties are entirely independent of any other type of property.

Answer

Moral values are entirely subjective and differ from person to person.

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Meta-ethics is concerned with the practical application of ethical principles.

Question 10

Identify the option that does not belong to the main branches of meta-ethics.

Accepted Answer

Moral existentialism

Answer

Moral realism

Answer

Moral anti-realism

Answer

Moral cognitivism

Question 11

Which philosopher famously argued that moral statements simply convey personal feelings?

Accepted Answer

Hume

Answer

Plato

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Kant

Question 12

According to moral realism, moral values are characterized as:

Accepted Answer

Objective and independent of human opinions

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Subjective and dependent on personal preferences

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Relative to different cultures and societies

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Arbitrary and lacking any basis in reality

Question 13

Identify the fundamental distinction between cognitivism and non-cognitivism in meta-ethics.

Accepted Answer

Cognitivists assert that moral statements can be true or false, while non-cognitivists deny this.

Answer

Non-cognitivists believe moral statements express emotions, while cognitivists view them as stating facts.

Answer

Cognitivists argue that moral properties are objective, while non-cognitivists contend they are subjective.

Answer

Non-cognitivists claim moral statements are meaningless, while cognitivists maintain they possess meaning.

Question 14

The 'naturalistic fallacy' refers to the error of:

Accepted Answer

Deriving moral values from non-moral facts

Answer

Assuming that natural phenomena are inherently moral

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Equating moral properties with physical properties

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Defining moral terms solely in non-moral terms

Question 15

One argument for moral particularism is:

Accepted Answer

Different situations demand different moral responses.

Answer

Moral principles are too vague to provide guidance in specific situations.

Answer

There are no universal moral truths.

Answer

Moral judgments are based on intuition rather than reason.

Question 16

Jonathan Dancy's 'sophisticated intuitionism' is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

The view that moral intuitions should be critically examined and justified.

Answer

The assertion that moral intuitions are infallible.

Answer

The idea that moral intuitions are subjective and culturally relative.

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The argument that moral intuitions are the result of enculturation.

Question 17

A key feature of Philippa Foot's 'naturalism' in meta-ethics is:

Accepted Answer

The view that moral properties are objective and natural.

Answer

The claim that moral judgments are based on individual preferences.

Answer

The argument that moral language is purely descriptive.

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The idea that moral values are socially constructed.

Question 18

The distinction between Meta-Ethics and Normative Ethics primarily focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The nature of morality and moral language versus the specific content of moral rules and principles

Answer

The foundations of morality versus the practical application of moral values in everyday life

Answer

The role of reason versus emotion in moral decision-making

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The importance of cultural context versus universal moral truths

Question 19

Which of the following accurately describes a key feature of Non-Cognitivist theories?

Accepted Answer

They maintain that moral statements do not express factual claims and lack truth value

Answer

They assert that moral properties are objective and independent of human minds

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They emphasize the role of intuition and emotion in moral knowledge

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They argue that moral disagreements can always be rationally resolved through logical argumentation

Question 20

According to Error Theory, moral statements are:

Accepted Answer

Objectively false and do not correspond to any actual state of affairs

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Objectively true and represent accurate descriptions of reality

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Neither true nor false, but instead express subjective feelings or attitudes

Answer

True or false depending on the individual's personal beliefs and values

Question 21

According to Moral Constructivists, moral values are:

Accepted Answer

Created or shaped by human societies and cultural practices

Answer

Fixed and unchanging, existing independently of human influence

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Entirely subjective and vary widely from person to person

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Discoverable through rational inquiry and logical reasoning

Question 22

Which of the following is the central focus of meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

The nature of moral language and the foundations of moral reasoning

Answer

The justification of moral beliefs

Answer

The application of moral principles to specific situations

Question 23

According to moral subjectivism, which of the following is true about moral values?

Accepted Answer

They are determined solely by the individual's emotions and preferences.

Answer

They are based on objective facts about the world.

Answer

They are universal and independent of personal opinion.

Question 24

Which philosopher is widely regarded as the founder of modern emotivism?

Accepted Answer

A.J. Ayer

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

C.S. Lewis

Question 25

The naturalistic fallacy is the error of:

Accepted Answer

Deriving ethical conclusions from purely factual premises

Answer

Mistaking non-moral statements for moral statements

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Assuming that all moral beliefs are subjective

Question 26

The theory that moral language primarily serves to express and evoke emotions is known as:

Accepted Answer

Moral emotivism

Answer

Moral cognitivism

Answer

Moral intuitionism

Question 27

The meta-ethical approach that focuses on the analysis of moral concepts and their function is known as:

Accepted Answer

Conceptual analysis

Answer

Prescriptive ethics

Answer

Normative ethics

Question 28

Meta-ethics primarily focuses on which fundamental question?

Accepted Answer

Are moral claims objective truths or subjective opinions?

Answer

What is the exact meaning of moral terms like 'good' and 'evil'?

Answer

How can we resolve moral conflicts and make sound moral judgments?

Answer

Does morality stem from reason, emotions, or both?

Question 29

In meta-ethics, intuition is considered to:

Accepted Answer

Support moral reasoning but not establish objective moral knowledge.

Answer

Provide infallible moral knowledge.

Answer

Be solely based on personal feelings.

Question 30

Which of the following is not a central topic examined in meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

Moral psychology

Answer

The objectivity of moral values

Answer

The foundations of moral reasoning

Answer

The nature of moral language

Question 31

According to moral realism, moral values:

Accepted Answer

Exist independently of human thoughts and desires.

Answer

Are simply subjective preferences.

Answer

Are created by human conventions.

Answer

Are determined solely by the consequences of actions.

Question 32

According to the expressivist theory of ethics, moral statements:

Accepted Answer

Express emotions or attitudes rather than representing objective facts.

Answer

Are true or false depending on the speaker's intentions.

Answer

Are objective descriptions of the world.

Question 33

Which of the following is a common criticism of naturalistic fallacies in meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

They attempt to derive moral conclusions from non-moral premises.

Answer

They use faulty logic.

Answer

They rely on unverifiable evidence.

Question 34

The meta-ethical debate over the objectivity of moral values has significant implications for:

Accepted Answer

The validity of moral judgments and the possibility of moral progress.

Answer

The meaning of life.

Answer

The existence of God.

Question 35

Which of the following philosophers is recognized as a pioneer in the development of modern meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

G.E. Moore

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

Aristotle

Question 36

According to the error theory of ethics:

Accepted Answer

Moral statements are neither true nor false but rather meaningless.

Answer

Moral values are subjective and vary from person to person.

Answer

Moral truths are known through intuition.

Question 37

Which of the following is not a recognized method for evaluating ethical theories in meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

Empirical observation

Answer

Logical analysis

Answer

Practical implications

Answer

Conceptual clarification