Meta-Ethics: Exploring the Foundations of Moral Reasoning

Question 1

Which objection to non-cognitivism in meta-ethics is most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

It fails to explain the persuasive power of moral judgments.

Answer

It is logically flawed.

Answer

It contradicts our intuitive understanding of moral language.

Answer

It is empirically false.

Question 2

Which ethical principle prioritizes maximizing overall happiness?

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Categorical imperative

Answer

Golden rule

Answer

Kantianism

Question 3

Which philosopher emphasized rationality as the foundation of morality?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

John Locke

Answer

Friedrich Nietzsche

Answer

Jeremy Bentham

Question 4

Which question falls within the realm of meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

What is the meaning of the concept 'good'?

Answer

Is lying morally wrong?

Answer

What is the best way to live a fulfilling life?

Answer

Should terminally ill patients have the right to end their lives?

Question 5

What is the fundamental distinction between ethical subjectivism and ethical objectivism?

Accepted Answer

Subjectivism views moral truths as based on personal feelings, while objectivism views them as based on objective facts.

Answer

Subjectivism views moral truths as objective, while objectivism views them as subjective.

Answer

Both subjectivism and objectivism are forms of meta-ethical naturalism.

Answer

There is no distinction between ethical subjectivism and ethical objectivism.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a core ethical theory discussed in meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

Epistemology

Answer

Consequentialism

Answer

Deontology

Answer

Virtue ethics

Question 7

Which meta-ethical concept claims that ethical properties exist independently of human beliefs and preferences?

Accepted Answer

Moral realism

Answer

Moral skepticism

Answer

Moral relativism

Answer

Moral naturalism

Question 8

What is a primary objection raised against moral relativism?

Accepted Answer

It undermines the possibility of objective moral truth

Answer

It leads to moral skepticism

Answer

It encourages cultural isolationism

Answer

It disregards the fact that moral rules vary across cultures

Question 9

According to virtue ethics, what is the primary goal of ethical actions?

Accepted Answer

Cultivating virtuous character

Answer

Maximizing happiness

Answer

Fulfilling one's duty

Answer

Avoiding harm

Question 10

What is the significance of the 'open question argument' in meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the view that ethical properties are natural properties

Answer

It supports the claim that moral judgments are objective

Answer

It demonstrates the limits of reason in ethical inquiry

Answer

It provides evidence for moral relativism

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a central concept in meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

Normative ethics

Answer

Moral realism

Answer

Moral relativism

Answer

Moral universalism

Question 12

According to ethical naturalism, moral properties are:

Accepted Answer

Reducible to scientific facts

Answer

Objective and mind-independent

Answer

Subjective and mind-dependent

Answer

Incommensurable with scientific facts

Question 13

Which of the following is a key objection to the 'is-ought' distinction?

Accepted Answer

It relies on a false dichotomy between facts and values

Answer

It is incompatible with moral realism

Answer

It ignores the role of emotions in ethics

Answer

It undermines the objectivity of moral judgments

Question 14

The 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment is associated with:

Accepted Answer

John Rawls

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

David Hume

Answer

Friedrich Nietzsche

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a type of ethical skepticism?

Accepted Answer

Axiological optimism

Answer

Meta-ethical skepticism

Answer

Epistemological skepticism

Answer

Practical skepticism

Question 16

The concept of 'moral incommensurability' is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Bernard Williams

Answer

Martha Nussbaum

Answer

Philippa Foot

Answer

Alasdair MacIntyre

Question 17

In meta-ethics, which theory posits that ethical values are not inherent qualities of actions or objects, but rather are shaped by individual perspectives or cultural norms?

Accepted Answer

Ethical relativism

Answer

Moral nihilism

Answer

Moral objectivism

Question 18

According to moral realism, what is the nature of ethical properties?

Accepted Answer

Objective and independent of human minds

Answer

Subjective and dependent on individual beliefs

Answer

Relative to specific cultures and historical contexts

Answer

Non-existent and lacking objective reality

Question 19

Identify the philosopher primarily associated with the concept of moral skepticism:

Accepted Answer

David Hume

Answer

Plato

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 20

According to emotivism, what is the nature of ethical statements?

Accepted Answer

Expressions of emotions or attitudes

Answer

Objective claims that can be empirically verified

Answer

Commands or prescriptions that tell us what to do

Answer

Logical truths that can be deduced from other statements

Question 21

Which criticism highlights a weakness in moral particularism?

Accepted Answer

It is too subjective and fails to provide universal moral principles

Answer

It is too absolute and ignores the diversity of moral values

Answer

It is impractical and difficult to apply in real-life situations

Answer

It is tautological and fails to provide any meaningful insights

Question 22

According to moral cognitivism, ethical judgments are best understood as:

Accepted Answer

Objective statements of facts about the world

Answer

Subjective expressions of personal preferences

Answer

Expressions of emotions or feelings

Answer

Meaningless utterances that convey no factual content

Question 23

Which of the following is a prominent theory within non-cognitivism, which denies that ethical judgments are objective statements of fact?

Accepted Answer

Emotivism

Answer

Ethical naturalism

Answer

Moral intuitionism

Answer

Utilitarianism

Question 24

According to ethical naturalism, moral properties are:

Accepted Answer

Reducible to non-moral properties and concepts

Answer

Sui generis and cannot be reduced to non-moral terms

Answer

Subjective and vary from person to person

Answer

Derived from a divine or supernatural source

Question 25

Moral particularism argues that:

Accepted Answer

Moral rightness and wrongness depend on the specific circumstances of each situation

Answer

Morality is universal and applicable to all situations and contexts

Answer

Moral principles can be derived through reason and logic

Answer

Morality is ultimately based on religious authority and divine revelation

Question 26

According to moral intuitionism, our knowledge of moral truths is primarily derived from:

Accepted Answer

Innate moral intuitions and direct moral insight

Answer

Experience, observation, and reasoning

Answer

Religious teachings and divine revelation

Answer

Social consensus and cultural norms

Question 27

A key distinction in meta-ethics is between:

Accepted Answer

Moral vs. non-moral properties

Answer

Intrinsic vs. extrinsic value

Answer

Deontological vs. consequentialist ethics

Answer

Virtue vs. vice

Question 28

Which theory holds that ethical judgments are ultimately grounded in human desires, preferences, and self-interest?

Accepted Answer

Ethical egoism

Answer

Utilitarianism

Answer

Kantianism

Answer

Contractualism

Question 29

Which of the following provides the most precise definition of meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

The systematic study of the nature of ethical properties and the foundations of moral reasoning

Answer

The practical application of ethical principles

Answer

The historical analysis of ethical ideas

Question 30

Who is widely recognized as the influential figure in the development of meta-ethics as a distinct field of philosophical inquiry?

Accepted Answer

G.E. Moore

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

John Stuart Mill

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 31

which meta-ethical theory holds that ethical terms merely express subjective feelings and attitudes?

Accepted Answer

Emotivism

Answer

Naturalism

Answer

Cognitivism

Answer

Error Theory

Question 32

According to the naturalistic fallacy, what type of inference is considered illegitimate?

Accepted Answer

Deriving ethical conclusions from purely factual premises

Answer

Deriving ethical conclusions from other ethical premises

Answer

Deriving factual conclusions from other factual conclusions

Answer

Deriving factual conclusions from ethical premises

Question 33

Which concept in meta-ethics refers to the view that ethical properties exist independently of our beliefs and desires?

Accepted Answer

Moral Realism

Answer

Moral Skepticism

Answer

Moral Subjectivism

Answer

Moral Relativism

Question 34

Which of the following topics is typically considered to fall outside the scope of meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

The examination of the nature of mathematical properties

Answer

The analysis of the foundations of moral judgments

Answer

The study of the meaning and usage of ethical terms

Answer

The investigation of the limits of moral reasoning

Question 35

What is the primary argument put forward by proponents of the error theory of ethics?

Accepted Answer

Ethical statements lack truth value and instead function as expressions of emotions or directives

Answer

Ethical statements are true or false based on their consistency with religious teachings

Answer

Ethical statements are true or false depending on the beliefs of a particular society

Question 36

Which of the following is a common criticism leveled against the intuitionist theory of ethics?

Accepted Answer

Its reliance on subjective and potentially unreliable intuitions

Answer

Its overly abstract and impractical nature

Answer

Its tendency towards ethical relativism

Answer

Its applicability only to specific moral dilemmas

Question 37

Which of the following best describes the central question of meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

What is the nature of moral properties?

Answer

How can we promote social justice?

Answer

What are the consequences of different actions?

Answer

What are the best moral rules to follow?

Question 38

Which meta-ethical theory argues that moral properties are objective and independent of human opinion?

Accepted Answer

Moral Realism

Answer

Ethical Relativism

Answer

Moral Subjectivism

Answer

Moral Nihilism

Question 39

The claim 'Murder is wrong because it is wrong' is an example of which type of argument?

Accepted Answer

Moral  Circular Reasoning

Answer

Ethical Relativism

Answer

Moral Subjectivism

Answer

Moral Realism

Question 40

Which of these best defines 'moral naturalism'?

Accepted Answer

Moral properties are reducible to natural properties that can be discovered through scientific investigation.

Answer

Moral properties are subjective and based on personal preferences.

Question 41

The claim 'Stealing is wrong because it violates the property rights of others' is an example of which type of moral reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Deontological

Answer

Relativist

Answer

Virtue Ethics

Answer

Consequentialist

Question 42

Which of the following is a key challenge for ethical relativism?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to the conclusion that any cultural practice, even harmful ones, is morally acceptable.

Answer

It fails to explain the universality of moral principles.

Answer

It relies on an overly simplistic view of moral decision-making.

Question 43

Which of the following is a key argument in favor of moral realism?

Accepted Answer

It provides a more robust foundation for moral judgments and disagreements.

Answer

It offers practical guidance for moral decision-making.

Answer

It aligns with our intuitive understanding of right and wrong.

Question 44

The statement 'There are no objective moral truths' is a characteristic of which meta-ethical view?

Accepted Answer

Moral Nihilism

Answer

Moral Subjectivism

Answer

Moral Naturalism

Answer

Ethical Relativism

Question 45

The debate between moral realism and moral anti-realism is primarily focused on which question?

Accepted Answer

Whether moral properties exist independently of human minds.

Answer

What are the best ways to promote human well-being?

Answer

How can we resolve conflicts between different moral values?

Question 46

Which of these is NOT a major area of inquiry within meta-ethics?

Accepted Answer

The development of ethical theories for practical application.

Answer

The meaning of moral terms.

Answer

The nature of moral properties.