Recognizing Ethical Theories in Moral Argumentation

In the following, consider whether the arguments offered are based on ethical egoism, act or rule utilitarianism, Kantianism (based on either the universal law or end-in-itself formulations of the categorical imperative), or contractarianism, then click on "Answer" to see whether you were correct. Click on the "x" in the top right corner of the answer window to close the window.  If you'd like to print out an answer sheet, click here.

1. There is an implicit agreement among all individuals within society that the private property rights of individuals will be respected. The acceptance of this agreement on the part of any given individual is demonstrated by their participation in the economy as a wage earner and/or a consumer. It is for this reason that stealing is wrong.

2. The rule "Do not lie" is justifiable on the basis of the fact that the general observance of this rule within society will lead to consequences that are preferable to those that would come about if this rule were not adopted. Therefore, lying is wrong.

3. One finds in life that beneficent action (helping others) is ultimately a benefit to the benefactor as well, since if you help others in society, this contributes to the overall stability and prosperity of the society in which one lives. For this reason alone we should recognize beneficence as a moral obligation that everyone should fulfill.

4. A congressperson speaking in the House of Representatives: "Passage of this bill is not only good social policy, but is morally right, since it will bring about economic growth in our nation which will contribute to the overall financial security of the citizens."

5. Cheating on one's spouse is morally wrong. A marriage is a mutually voluntary relationship, based on mutual consent. Consent is offered on the presumption that the partners will have a sexually intimate relationship only with the other partner. If one partner has an affair without telling the other, then the other partner does not know something that is centrally relevant to their decision of whether to continue in the marriage. In effect, then, the cheating spouse is using their partner: they trick their partner into remaining in the marriage by withholding facts which may very well result in their partner seeking a divorce and thereby withdrawing their consent to the marriage.

6. Everyone wants to be treated with respect. Thus, a person who doesn't respect others is treating them in a way that is not consistent with how they themselves would wish to be treated. What is morally permissible for one person must also be permissible for all, so the fact that no one can reasonably want others to treat them without respect shows that doing so is morally impermissible.

7. The practice of slavery in the United States caused much pain and suffering, and therefore it was immoral

8. The practice of slavery in the United States was immoral because it exploited the labor of individuals in wanton disregard for the interests and well-being of those individuals.

9. A psychiatrist has a responsibility to protect the privacy of his or her patients stemming from the mutual understanding between the psychiatrist and patient that a condition of entering into therapy is that private information revealed by the patient in the course of therapy will not be disclosed to others.

10. If all politicians were only to make campaign promises they could keep, and then keep them, then there would be the long- term benefit of reestablishing the public's trust in elected officials, a benefit of great worth to political discourse. Therefore, it is wrong for politicians cynically to offer promises they know they are unlikely to be able to fulfill.

11. Taxation for social programs is morally wrong since each individual has the sole moral obligation to take care of their own needs.

12. Since every individual has a desire for self-preservation, one cannot consistently believe that people should end their lives when they experience extreme misery. Thus suicide is wrong.