Utilitarianism: An Introduction to the Philosophy and Its Applications

Question 1

Who is considered the founder of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Jeremy Bentham

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

John Stuart Mill

Answer

David Hume

Question 2

Which concept is NOT central to utilitarian theory?

Accepted Answer

Deontological reasoning

Answer

Utility

Answer

Felicific calculus

Answer

Greatest happiness principle

Question 3

According to utilitarianism, which of the following is prioritized?

Accepted Answer

The happiness of as many people as possible

Answer

The happiness of a select few

Answer

The rights of individuals

Answer

The intentions of the actor

Question 4

How does intuition play a role in utilitarian analysis?

Accepted Answer

Intuition can be used to supplement utilitarian reasoning.

Answer

Intuition should be used to determine the consequences of actions.

Answer

Intuition should be used to determine the rightness or wrongness of actions.

Answer

Intuition has no role in utilitarian analysis.

Question 5

Which of the following encapsulates the core principle of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Actions are deemed right to the extent they generate greater benefits for the majority

Answer

Moral judgments should be rooted in sacred teachings

Answer

Individual interests ought to be prioritized above all else

Answer

Ethical conduct is ultimately driven by the pursuit of virtue

Question 6

Which English philosopher is widely considered the founder of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Jeremy Bentham

Answer

John Locke

Answer

John Stuart Mill

Answer

David Hume

Question 7

According to the fundamental principle of utilitarianism, the most ethical action is the one that:

Accepted Answer

Produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of individuals

Answer

Produces the greatest good for the least number of individuals

Answer

Adheres strictly to established moral principles

Answer

Promotes universal human rights

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a commonly cited criticism of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

It relies on empirical evidence to measure human well-being

Answer

It overlooks the significance of individual rights

Answer

It can potentially justify unethical outcomes

Answer

It is overly simplistic in its calculation of happiness

Question 9

How does rule-utilitarianism differ from act-utilitarianism primarily?

Accepted Answer

It evaluates the consequences of following rules rather than individual actions

Answer

It emphasizes the importance of moral principles over consequences

Answer

It rejects the greatest happiness principle

Answer

It focuses on maximizing pleasure rather than minimizing pain

Question 10

Which principle lies at the core of utilitarianism, asserting that actions are morally correct based on their consequences?

Accepted Answer

Consequentialism

Answer

Virtue ethics

Answer

Deontological ethics

Answer

Natural law theory

Question 11

According to Jeremy Bentham, what is the purpose of the 'felicific calculus'?

Accepted Answer

To quantify the amount of happiness an action will produce

Answer

To list all possible actions and their outcomes

Answer

To establish the principle that the ends justify the means

Answer

To determine the divine will regarding morality

Question 12

Which criticism highlights a potential flaw in act utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

It may lead to unfair outcomes in specific situations

Answer

It disregards the actor's intentions

Answer

It oversimplifies moral decision-making

Answer

It cannot account for moral obligations

Question 13

Which of the following is not an example of a contemporary application of utilitarian principles in legal theory?

Accepted Answer

Imposing restrictions on freedom of speech

Answer

Evaluating the effectiveness of criminal sentencing

Answer

Determining the ethical considerations of euthanasia

Answer

Assessing the morality of capital punishment

Question 14

Identify the key distinction between act and rule utilitarianism.

Accepted Answer

Act utilitarianism focuses on evaluating actions, while rule utilitarianism focuses on evaluating rules.

Answer

Act utilitarianism prioritizes consequences, while rule utilitarianism prioritizes intentions.

Answer

Act utilitarianism is egoistic, while rule utilitarianism is altruistic.

Answer

Act utilitarianism is a teleological theory, while rule utilitarianism is a deontological theory.

Question 15

What is the 'hedonistic paradox' concerned with?

Accepted Answer

The notion that pursuing pleasure can often lead to less pleasure

Answer

The belief that pain is inherently worse than pleasure

Answer

The idea that virtue is the ultimate good

Answer

The theory that morality is subjective

Question 16

According to utilitarianism, which of the following actions would be morally right?

Accepted Answer

The action that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number

Answer

The action that follows religious or traditional norms

Answer

The action that fulfills our personal desires

Answer

The action that produces the happiness of a particular group

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a key assumption of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Actions have inherent moral value

Answer

Pleasure and pain are the fundamental units of value

Answer

Consequences are relevant to moral evaluations

Answer

Individuals have an equal stake in happiness

Question 18

Which type of utilitarianism considers the average happiness of all those affected by an action?

Accepted Answer

Average utilitarianism

Answer

Rule utilitarianism

Answer

Preference utilitarianism

Answer

Act utilitarianism

Question 19

A utilitarian judge would most likely decide a case in favor of the option that:

Accepted Answer

Produces the most overall happiness

Answer

Promotes social order

Answer

follows legal precedent

Answer

Protects individual freedoms

Question 20

According to James Mill, which of the following is the highest type of pleasure?

Accepted Answer

Intellectual pleasure

Answer

Physical pleasure

Answer

Aesthetic pleasure

Answer

Social pleasure

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a criticism of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

It promotes a focus on individual happiness

Answer

It relies on subjective measures of happiness

Answer

It can be difficult to predict the consequences of actions

Answer

It can justify actions that violate individual rights

Question 22

Which of the following is a key strength of utilitarianism?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on improving the well-being of all individuals

Answer

Conceptual complexity

Answer

Rejection of consequentialist ethics

Answer

Lack of practical applications