Utilitarianism: Bentham and Mill - Online Learning Quizzes

Question 1

In ethical reasoning, what is the difference between a necessary condition and a sufficient condition?

Accepted Answer

A necessary condition is a factor that must be present for something to occur, while a sufficient condition is a factor that guarantees something will occur.

Answer

A sufficient condition is a factor that must be present for something to occur, while a necessary condition is a factor that guarantees something will occur.

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Necessary and sufficient conditions are the same thing.

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None of the above accurately describes the difference between necessary and sufficient conditions.

Question 2

According to Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism, which of the following is NOT a crucial factor in determining the rightness or wrongness of an action?

Accepted Answer

The motive or intention of the person performing the action

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The overall happiness produced by the action

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The long-term consequences of the action

Question 3

Which potential limitation of utilitarianism is related to its ability to produce contradictory outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Potentially justifying morally questionable actions

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Overemphasizing the well-being of future generations

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Difficulty in practical application

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Neglecting individual rights

Question 4

What sets Jeremy Bentham's 'felicific calculus' apart from other forms of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Quantifies pleasure and pain using a numerical scale

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Focuses on intentions in determining morality

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Prioritizes individual well-being over society's

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Considers only immediate consequences

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental principle of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

All actions are morally equivalent

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The greatest happiness for the greatest number

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The ends justify the means

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Pleasure is inherently good

Question 6

Which type of utilitarianism emphasizes the importance of adhering to rules that generally promote the greatest happiness?

Accepted Answer

Rule utilitarianism

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Act utilitarianism

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Negative utilitarianism

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Preference utilitarianism

Question 7

John Stuart Mill argued that some pleasures are superior to others because they:

Accepted Answer

Involve intellectual stimulation

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Are more intense

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Are approved by society

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Lead to virtuous actions

Question 8

According to Mill, the primary purpose of government should be to:

Accepted Answer

Protect individual liberties

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Enforce morality

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Promote economic growth

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Preserve traditional values

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of Mill's principles of liberty?

Accepted Answer

Paternalism

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The harm principle

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Freedom of expression

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Self-ownership

Question 10

Jeremy Bentham's panopticon was primarily designed as a model for:

Accepted Answer

A prison

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A school

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A hospital

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A factory

Question 11

In rule utilitarianism, unforeseen consequences are addressed by assuming that:

Accepted Answer

Rules that have generally led to good outcomes in the past will continue to do so in the future

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Individuals should always follow their intuition, even if it conflicts with established rules

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Government authorities can effectively predict and prevent all potential negative outcomes

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The pursuit of happiness should be prioritized above all else, regardless of the consequences

Question 12

According to Mill's theory of 'harm to others,' what is the main reason for government intervention?

Accepted Answer

To stop one person from hurting another

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To increase overall happiness

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To stop people from hurting themselves

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To protect individual freedom

Question 13

According to Jeremy Bentham's principle of utility, the morally correct action is the one that produces the:

Accepted Answer

greatest happiness for the greatest number

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most pleasure for the individual

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least pain for the minority

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most virtue for the society

Question 14

Who coined the term 'greatest happiness principle'?

Accepted Answer

Jeremy Bentham

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John Stuart Mill

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David Hume

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Immanuel Kant

Question 15

Act utilitarianism focuses on evaluating the:

Accepted Answer

consequences of a specific action

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utility of a general rule

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virtuousness of an individual

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long-term effects of a policy

Question 16

John Stuart Mill's version of utilitarianism is known for emphasizing the importance of:

Accepted Answer

individual liberty

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rule compliance

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collective well-being

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scientific reasoning

Question 17

The idea that an action is morally right if and only if it is in accordance with a rule that is universally applicable is known as:

Accepted Answer

categorical imperative

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rule utilitarianism

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act utilitarianism

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principle of utility

Question 18

Which of the following is an advantage of rule utilitarianism over act utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

It promotes consistency

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It considers the consequences of actions

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It allows for individual exceptions

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It is easily applied in practice

Question 19

Jeremy Bentham believed that happiness could be objectively measured using his:

Accepted Answer

felicific calculus

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hedonic thermometer

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moral barometer

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utility index

Question 20

Which philosopher's ideas significantly influenced both Bentham and Mill?

Accepted Answer

David Hume

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Aristotle

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Plato

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Immanuel Kant

Question 21

How does the concept of 'intrinsic value' broaden the scope of ethical considerations in utilitarian decision-making?

Accepted Answer

It enables the inclusion of factors beyond consequences in ethical evaluations.

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It removes the requirement for quantifying well-being in ethical decision-making.

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It simplifies ethical choices by presenting them as clear-cut right or wrong options.

Question 22

Which factor had the least impact on the development of utilitarianism in the 18th and 19th centuries?

Accepted Answer

Romanticism

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Enlightenment ideas

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Industrial Revolution

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Social reform movements

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of act utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Emphasizes the importance of rules and norms

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Focuses on the consequences of specific actions

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Considers the overall consequences for society

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Balances individual and collective interests

Question 24

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies an act utilitarian approach?

Accepted Answer

Saving a group of people at the expense of harming one individual

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Following a strict set of moral guidelines regardless of the consequences

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Acting in a way that maximizes personal pleasure and minimizes pain

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Considering the long-term societal impact before making a decision

Question 25

Mill's vision of a utilitarian society emphasized:

Accepted Answer

Widespread individual liberty

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Equal distribution of wealth and resources

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Government control of all aspects of life

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Traditional values and religious beliefs

Question 26

Jeremy Bentham's approach to ethics is categorized as a form of:

Accepted Answer

Consequentialist theory

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Deontological theory

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Virtue-based theory

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Teleological theory

Question 27

According to John Stuart Mill, what does 'negative liberty' primarily focus on?

Accepted Answer

Freedom from external restrictions or interference.

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Freedom to act based on personal desires, even if they go against societal norms.

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Freedom of expression and participation in public discourse without fear of censorship.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a key idea of Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Virtue is the highest good

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Pain is bad and pleasure is good

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Actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness

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Happiness is the goal of morality

Question 29

What type of utilitarianism focuses on evaluating the consequences of individual actions?

Accepted Answer

Act utilitarianism

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Rule utilitarianism

Answer

Negative utilitarianism

Answer

Preference utilitarianism

Question 30

According to John Stuart Mill, happiness is:

Accepted Answer

The ultimate and desirable end in itself

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Only attainable through virtue

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Incompatible with pleasure

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A means to achieve other goals

Question 31

Which criticism applies to rule utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to unjust outcomes in certain situations.

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It is too abstract and complex

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It ignores the intentions of the agent

Question 32

What differentiates Bentham's utilitarianism from Mill's?

Accepted Answer

Mill believed that the quality of happiness varies, whereas Bentham did not

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Bentham emphasized intentions, while Mill did not

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Mill rejected the greatest happiness principle, while Bentham embraced it

Question 33

What is a key strength of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

It offers a clear and objective criterion for moral judgments

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It fully considers the rights of all individuals

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It is always easy to determine what produces the most happiness

Question 34

What is the essence of Mill's harm principle?

Accepted Answer

Individuals should be free to act as they wish, unless it causes harm to others

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Virtue is the sole basis for determining right and wrong

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The government has the right to interfere in people's lives to promote their happiness

Question 35

What is the 'greatest happiness principle'?

Accepted Answer

Actions are morally right if they lead to the greatest overall happiness

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Actions are right if they conform to social norms

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Actions should be based on religious teachings

Question 36

How did Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill differ in their views on punishment?

Accepted Answer

Mill emphasized the rehabilitative role of punishment, while Bentham focused on its deterrent effect

Answer

Bentham believed punishment should be harsh, while Mill believed it should be lenient

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of Jeremy Bentham's utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Justice is always the most important consideration.

Answer

The best action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Answer

Actions should be judged by their consequences.

Question 38

According to John Stuart Mill, what is the primary factor in deciding if an action is morally right?

Accepted Answer

Its consequences

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The intent of the actor

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The rules of society

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The commands of a religious authority

Question 39

Which of Bentham's ideas is best represented by the 'felicific calculus'?

Accepted Answer

The value of pleasure or pain can be measured based on its intensity, duration, certainty, etc.

Answer

The greatest happiness for the greatest number is always achieved through altruistic actions.

Answer

The consequences of an action can be accurately predicted using scientific methods.

Question 40

According to Mill, what is the ultimate goal of a human life?

Accepted Answer

Happiness

Answer

Power

Answer

Wealth

Answer

Virtue

Question 41

Which of these is NOT a type of liberty that Mill believed was essential for people to thrive?

Accepted Answer

Economic liberty to accumulate wealth

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Political liberty to participate in government

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Intellectual liberty to explore ideas and knowledge

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Civil liberty to express one's opinions

Question 42

What is a key principle of rule utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

The best rule is the one that leads to the greatest overall happiness.

Answer

The best rule is the one that is based on religious teachings.

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The best rule is the one that is most consistent with natural law.

Question 43

According to Mill, what is the purpose of moral rules?

Accepted Answer

To guide people's actions towards creating more overall happiness.

Answer

To protect the rights of individuals from being violated.

Answer

To punish people who break the law.

Question 44

What is a key difference between Bentham's and Mill's utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Mill placed more emphasis on the quality of happiness, not just the amount.

Answer

Bentham was an atheist while Mill was a theist.

Answer

Bentham believed in rule utilitarianism while Mill believed in act utilitarianism.

Question 45

State the core principle of utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

Maximizing overall happiness for the most people.

Answer

Protecting the inherent rights of individuals.

Answer

Pursuing personal self-interest.

Question 46

Jeremy Bentham's approach to utilitarianism focuses primarily on:

Accepted Answer

Calculating and maximizing pleasure while minimizing pain.

Answer

Achieving social progress through collective action.

Answer

Preserving moral principles and rules.

Answer

Promoting individual freedom and liberty.

Question 47

John Stuart Mill's version of utilitarianism differs from Bentham's by emphasizing:

Accepted Answer

The qualitative aspects of pleasure and the significance of higher-order goods.

Answer

The necessity of a powerful government to enforce utilitarian principles.

Answer

The role of individual rights in maximizing happiness.

Question 48

Which type of utilitarianism evaluates the consequences of each individual action?

Accepted Answer

Act utilitarianism.

Answer

Preference utilitarianism.

Answer

Hedonistic utilitarianism.

Answer

Rule utilitarianism.

Question 49

A rule utilitarian would argue that:

Accepted Answer

遵循一般道德规则对于从长远来看最大化幸福至关重要。

Answer

道德规则是武断的，当它们与个人幸福相冲突时应该被抛弃。

Answer

个人在行为时应始终以产生最直接享乐的方式为准。

Question 50

对功利主义的主要批评之一是它:

Accepted Answer

可以为侵犯个人权利的行为辩护.

Answer

在现实情况下很难应用.

Answer

过于关注个人幸福而忽视社会问题.

Question 51

下列哪项不是杰里米·边沁对功利主义的关键贡献?

Accepted Answer

自然权利概念的发展.

Answer

最大化大多数人幸福的强调.

Answer

用于衡量快乐和痛苦的享乐计算.

Answer

功利作为道德基础的原则.

Question 52

约翰·斯图尔特·密尔的关于自由的著作体现了他对:

Accepted Answer

个人自由和自我发展的关注.

Answer

功利原则被自然权利取代的拒绝.

Answer

相信需要一个强大的国家来规范个人行为.

Question 53

根据功利主义原则，下述哪种情况下可以牺牲少数人的幸福来换取多数人的更大幸福？

Accepted Answer

行为功利主义.

Answer

规则功利主义.

Answer

自然法理论.

Answer

康德伦理学.

Question 54

约翰·斯图尔特·密尔提出的“伤害原则”表明:

Accepted Answer

只要不伤害他人，个人就应该自由地按照自己的意愿行事.

Answer

个人应该将社会的福祉置于自己之上.

Answer

政府应该积极促进公民的幸福.