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The Principle of Lesser Evil: Choosing the Least Harmful Option

Description: The Principle of Lesser Evil: Choosing the Least Harmful Option
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: ethics moral philosophy decision making
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What is the principle of lesser evil?

  1. The principle that one should always choose the option that results in the least amount of harm.

  2. The principle that one should always choose the option that results in the greatest amount of good.

  3. The principle that one should always choose the option that is most likely to be successful.

  4. The principle that one should always choose the option that is most likely to be popular.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The principle of lesser evil is a moral principle that states that, when faced with a choice between two or more harmful actions, one should choose the action that results in the least amount of harm.

What are some examples of situations in which the principle of lesser evil might be applied?

  1. Deciding whether to go to war.

  2. Deciding whether to have an abortion.

  3. Deciding whether to tell a lie.

  4. Deciding whether to break a promise.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The principle of lesser evil can be applied to a wide variety of situations, including decisions about war, abortion, lying, and breaking promises.

What are some of the criticisms of the principle of lesser evil?

  1. It is too simplistic.

  2. It is too difficult to apply in practice.

  3. It can lead to moral dilemmas.

  4. It is not always clear what the least harmful option is.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The principle of lesser evil has been criticized for being too simplistic, too difficult to apply in practice, and for leading to moral dilemmas. It can also be difficult to determine what the least harmful option is in a given situation.

Despite its criticisms, why might someone still choose to use the principle of lesser evil?

  1. It provides a clear and straightforward way to make moral decisions.

  2. It can help to avoid moral dilemmas.

  3. It can help to ensure that the least amount of harm is done.

  4. It can help to promote justice and fairness.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Despite its criticisms, the principle of lesser evil can still be a useful tool for making moral decisions. It can provide a clear and straightforward way to think about moral problems, and it can help to avoid moral dilemmas. It can also help to ensure that the least amount of harm is done, and it can help to promote justice and fairness.

What are some alternative moral principles that could be used to make moral decisions?

  1. The principle of utility.

  2. The principle of justice.

  3. The principle of autonomy.

  4. The principle of non-maleficence.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

There are a number of alternative moral principles that could be used to make moral decisions, including the principle of utility, the principle of justice, the principle of autonomy, and the principle of non-maleficence.

How can we determine which moral principle is the best one to use in a given situation?

  1. There is no one best moral principle.

  2. The best moral principle is the one that leads to the most good.

  3. The best moral principle is the one that is most consistent with our values.

  4. The best moral principle is the one that is most likely to be accepted by others.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

There is no one best moral principle that can be used in all situations. The best moral principle to use in a given situation will depend on the specific circumstances of the situation and the values of the person making the decision.

What are some of the challenges of making moral decisions?

  1. Moral decisions are often complex and difficult.

  2. Moral decisions can have far-reaching consequences.

  3. Moral decisions can involve conflicting values.

  4. Moral decisions can be influenced by our emotions and biases.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Making moral decisions can be challenging for a number of reasons. Moral decisions are often complex and difficult, and they can have far-reaching consequences. They can also involve conflicting values, and they can be influenced by our emotions and biases.

What are some of the things we can do to make better moral decisions?

  1. Educate ourselves about moral issues.

  2. Reflect on our values.

  3. Be open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives.

  4. Be honest with ourselves about our own biases.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

There are a number of things we can do to make better moral decisions. We can educate ourselves about moral issues, reflect on our values, be open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives, and be honest with ourselves about our own biases.

Why is it important to make moral decisions?

  1. Moral decisions can help us to live better lives.

  2. Moral decisions can help us to create a better society.

  3. Moral decisions can help us to make a difference in the world.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Making moral decisions is important for a number of reasons. Moral decisions can help us to live better lives, create a better society, and make a difference in the world.

What is the difference between a moral decision and an ethical decision?

  1. Moral decisions are based on personal values, while ethical decisions are based on universal principles.

  2. Moral decisions are about right and wrong, while ethical decisions are about good and bad.

  3. Moral decisions are about individual actions, while ethical decisions are about social policies.

  4. There is no difference between a moral decision and an ethical decision.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There is no strict distinction between moral decisions and ethical decisions. The terms are often used interchangeably to refer to decisions about right and wrong, good and bad, and individual actions and social policies.

What are some of the most common ethical theories?

  1. Utilitarianism.

  2. Deontology.

  3. Virtue ethics.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics are three of the most common ethical theories. Utilitarianism is the theory that the right action is the one that produces the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. Deontology is the theory that the right action is the one that conforms to a universal moral rule. Virtue ethics is the theory that the right action is the one that is performed by a virtuous person.

What is the trolley problem?

  1. A thought experiment in which a person must choose between saving five people tied to a track or one person tied to another track.

  2. A thought experiment in which a person must choose between saving a group of people or saving themselves.

  3. A thought experiment in which a person must choose between sacrificing their own life or the life of another person.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The trolley problem is a thought experiment in which a person must choose between saving five people tied to a track or one person tied to another track. The person can pull a lever to divert the trolley onto the track with the one person, but this will result in the death of that person. If the person does not pull the lever, the trolley will continue on its current track and kill the five people.

What is the solution to the trolley problem?

  1. There is no one right answer to the trolley problem.

  2. The right answer is to pull the lever and save the five people.

  3. The right answer is to not pull the lever and let the five people die.

  4. The right answer depends on the specific circumstances of the situation.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

There is no one right answer to the trolley problem. The right answer will depend on the specific circumstances of the situation, such as the relationship between the person and the people on the tracks, the likelihood of success of each action, and the moral values of the person making the decision.

What are some of the ethical issues raised by the trolley problem?

  1. The issue of whether it is ever permissible to kill one person in order to save five people.

  2. The issue of whether the value of one life is greater than the value of five lives.

  3. The issue of whether the person making the decision has a duty to save the five people.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The trolley problem raises a number of ethical issues, including the issue of whether it is ever permissible to kill one person in order to save five people, the issue of whether the value of one life is greater than the value of five lives, and the issue of whether the person making the decision has a duty to save the five people.

What is the principle of double effect?

  1. The principle that it is permissible to perform an action that has both a good and a bad effect, as long as the good effect is intended and the bad effect is merely foreseen.

  2. The principle that it is permissible to perform an action that has both a good and a bad effect, as long as the bad effect is not intended.

  3. The principle that it is permissible to perform an action that has both a good and a bad effect, as long as the good effect outweighs the bad effect.

  4. The principle that it is permissible to perform an action that has both a good and a bad effect, as long as the action is performed with the right intention.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The principle of double effect is the principle that it is permissible to perform an action that has both a good and a bad effect, as long as the good effect is intended and the bad effect is merely foreseen. The principle is often used to justify actions that have both a good and a bad effect, such as the use of lethal force in self-defense.

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