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Metaethics: Moral Responsibility vs. Determinism

Description: Metaethics: Moral Responsibility vs. Determinism
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: ethics metaethics moral responsibility determinism
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Which philosophical theory argues that our actions are predetermined by prior causes, and thus we lack moral responsibility for our choices?

  1. Libertarianism

  2. Compatibilism

  3. Determinism

  4. Existentialism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Determinism asserts that every event, including human actions, is caused by preceding events and conditions, leaving no room for genuine moral responsibility.

According to compatibilism, moral responsibility and determinism are:

  1. Mutually exclusive

  2. Compatible and reconcilable

  3. Contradictory and irreconcilable

  4. Independent and unrelated


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Compatibilism posits that moral responsibility can coexist with determinism, as long as our actions are the product of our own free will and not external coercion.

Libertarianism, in the context of metaethics, refers to the belief that:

  1. Moral responsibility requires freedom from external constraints.

  2. Moral responsibility is independent of determinism or free will.

  3. Determinism is compatible with moral responsibility.

  4. Moral responsibility is solely determined by social norms.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Libertarianism emphasizes the necessity of genuine free will, unconstrained by external factors, for moral responsibility to exist.

Which philosopher is known for his influential work on moral responsibility and determinism, arguing that determinism does not negate moral responsibility?

  1. Immanuel Kant

  2. David Hume

  3. John Stuart Mill

  4. Peter Strawson


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Peter Strawson, in his book 'Freedom and Resentment', argues that moral responsibility can be maintained even in a deterministic universe, as long as our actions are intentional and reflect our values.

The idea that our moral judgments and responsibilities are shaped by our social and cultural context is associated with which philosophical perspective?

  1. Moral Relativism

  2. Moral Absolutism

  3. Ethical Egoism

  4. Utilitarianism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moral Relativism asserts that moral values and responsibilities vary across different societies and cultures, and are not universally applicable.

According to hard determinism, our actions are:

  1. Entirely determined by prior causes, leaving no room for free will.

  2. Partially influenced by prior causes but still allow for some degree of free will.

  3. Completely random and unpredictable.

  4. Solely determined by our conscious choices.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hard determinism posits that every event, including human actions, is predetermined by a causal chain of events, eliminating the possibility of genuine free will.

Which philosopher famously argued that free will is an illusion and that our actions are entirely determined by our desires and aversions?

  1. René Descartes

  2. David Hume

  3. Immanuel Kant

  4. Baruch Spinoza


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Baruch Spinoza, in his work 'Ethics', argued that human actions are determined by their desires and aversions, and that the illusion of free will arises from our ignorance of the causal factors shaping our choices.

The idea that moral responsibility requires the ability to make choices that are not causally determined is known as:

  1. Moral Autonomy

  2. Moral Luck

  3. Moral Relativism

  4. Moral Intuitionism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moral Autonomy refers to the capacity of individuals to make moral choices independently of external influences or causal determinism.

Which philosophical position holds that moral responsibility is solely determined by the consequences of our actions, regardless of our intentions or motives?

  1. Consequentialism

  2. Deontology

  3. Virtue Ethics

  4. Existentialism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Consequentialism evaluates the morality of actions based solely on their outcomes or consequences, disregarding the intentions or motives of the agent.

The idea that moral responsibility is diminished or eliminated if our actions are the result of external coercion or manipulation is known as:

  1. Moral Excuses

  2. Moral Luck

  3. Moral Relativism

  4. Moral Intuitionism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moral Excuses are factors or circumstances that reduce or eliminate an individual's moral responsibility for their actions, such as coercion, ignorance, or mental incapacity.

Which philosopher argued that moral responsibility is based on our ability to reflect on our actions and make choices in accordance with moral principles?

  1. Immanuel Kant

  2. John Stuart Mill

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Immanuel Kant, in his work 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals', argued that moral responsibility arises from our capacity for rational reflection and our ability to act in accordance with moral principles, regardless of our desires or inclinations.

The idea that moral responsibility is diminished or eliminated if our actions are the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge is known as:

  1. Moral Excuses

  2. Moral Luck

  3. Moral Relativism

  4. Moral Intuitionism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moral Excuses are factors or circumstances that reduce or eliminate an individual's moral responsibility for their actions, such as coercion, ignorance, or mental incapacity.

Which philosopher argued that moral responsibility is based on our ability to make choices that are not causally determined?

  1. Immanuel Kant

  2. John Stuart Mill

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Immanuel Kant, in his work 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals', argued that moral responsibility arises from our capacity for rational reflection and our ability to act in accordance with moral principles, regardless of our desires or inclinations.

The idea that moral responsibility is diminished or eliminated if our actions are the result of mental incapacity or psychological disorders is known as:

  1. Moral Excuses

  2. Moral Luck

  3. Moral Relativism

  4. Moral Intuitionism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moral Excuses are factors or circumstances that reduce or eliminate an individual's moral responsibility for their actions, such as coercion, ignorance, or mental incapacity.

Which philosopher argued that moral responsibility is based on our ability to make choices that are not causally determined?

  1. Immanuel Kant

  2. John Stuart Mill

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Immanuel Kant, in his work 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals', argued that moral responsibility arises from our capacity for rational reflection and our ability to act in accordance with moral principles, regardless of our desires or inclinations.

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