Ethics Final Examination

A university student discovers that a close friend has been plagiarizing assignments. Reporting the friend could lead to disciplinary action, but staying silent feels dishonest. Applying deontological ethics, what should the student do?

• Report the friend, as honesty and adherence to rules are moral duties.

• Stay silent to preserve the friendship and avoid causing harm.

• Confront the friend privately without involving authorities.

• Wait to see if the behavior continues before taking action.

A parent must decide whether to accept a high-paying job that requires relocating the family to a new city, disrupting their children's education and social life. According to utilitarian principles, what should the parent consider?

• Accept the job to maximize financial stability for the family.

• Decline the job to maintain the children's current lifestyle.

• Evaluate which option results in the greatest overall happiness for the entire family.

• Make the decision based solely on personal career goals.

A spouse considers whether to disclose a past financial mistake that could affect the couple's current savings. According to virtue ethics, what is the most ethical course of action?

• Disclose the mistake, demonstrating honesty and responsibility.

• Keep it hidden to avoid conflict and maintain harmony.

• Wait until a more appropriate time to bring it up.

• Seek advice from a friend before deciding.

During a campus protest, students block access to classrooms, disrupting scheduled lectures. According to social contract theory, how should this action be evaluated?

• It is justified as a form of free expression.

• It violates the mutual agreement to respect others' rights and disrupts the educational environment.

• It is acceptable if it brings attention to important issues.

• It is irrelevant to social contract considerations.

In a family, one child receives a larger share of inheritance due to perceived greater need. According to Rawls' theory of justice as fairness, is this distribution just?

• Yes, if the unequal distribution benefits the least advantaged.

• No, all children should receive equal shares regardless of need.

• Yes, if it aligns with the parents' wishes.

• No, inheritance should be based on merit.

A family must decide whether to allocate their limited monthly budget to fund their child's extracurricular activities, which bring the child joy and personal growth, or to support a local community program that benefits multiple families in need. According to utilitarian principles, which choice is more ethically justified?

• Prioritize the child's activities to foster individual development.

• Support the community program to maximize overall well-being.

• Split the funds equally between both options to be fair.

• Save the funds for future unforeseen family expenses.

A family lives in a community where everyone agrees to maintain their yards to uphold neighborhood aesthetics. One family decides to stop maintaining their yard, leading to complaints from neighbors. According to social contract theory, how is this family's action ethically evaluated?

• It's acceptable if the family has personal reasons.

• It's unethical as it breaks the mutual agreement for communal harmony.

• It's irrelevant to ethics since it's a personal choice.

• It's commendable for challenging societal norms.

A married couple are deciding how to divide household responsibilities. One suggests splitting tasks equally, while the other proposes assigning tasks based on individual strengths and preferences. According to Rawls' theory of justice as fairness, which approach aligns with ethical principles?

• Equal division ensures fairness.

• Division based on strengths promotes efficiency and benefits both.

• One partner should decide to maintain order.

• Tasks should be assigned randomly to avoid bias.

A college student is tempted to cheat on an exam to achieve a high grade but feels conflicted. According to Platonian ethics, what should guide the student's decision?

• Desire for a good grade.

• Fear of getting caught.

• Rational understanding of justice and integrity.

• Peer pressure and expectations.

In a marriage, the wife decides to pursue an unconventional career path, challenging societal expectations. According to Nietzsche's concept of master morality, how is this decision viewed?

• It's unethical for defying norms.

• It's a demonstration of creating personal values and embracing individual excellence.

• It's selfish and disregards societal harmony.

• It's irrelevant to moral considerations.