Lesson test: The case against consequentialism

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The case against consequentialism

1.[3p]
Why is the transplant case stipulated so that nobody will ever find out?

To strip away the wider consequences a consequentialist could appeal to, leaving only the arithmetic

Correct

To make the surgeon's decision easier

The answer is: To strip away the wider consequences a consequentialist could appeal to, leaving only the arithmetic

Because real hospitals keep such things secret

The answer is: To strip away the wider consequences a consequentialist could appeal to, leaving only the arithmetic

To show that secrecy is always wrong

The answer is: To strip away the wider consequences a consequentialist could appeal to, leaving only the arithmetic

2.[3p]
What is an agent-relative constraint?

A prohibition on the agent's doing something, holding even where violating it would prevent more violations of the same kind

Correct

A rule that maximises good outcomes when generally followed

The answer is: A prohibition on the agent's doing something, holding even where violating it would prevent more violations of the same kind

A permission to give one's own projects extra weight

The answer is: A prohibition on the agent's doing something, holding even where violating it would prevent more violations of the same kind

A limit on how much anyone can be required to give

The answer is: A prohibition on the agent's doing something, holding even where violating it would prevent more violations of the same kind

3.[3p]
What does a maximising theory lose that ordinary moral thought contains?

The supererogatory, acts that are admirable but not required

Correct

The idea that consequences matter

The answer is: The supererogatory, acts that are admirable but not required

The distinction between right and wrong

The answer is: The supererogatory, acts that are admirable but not required

Any account of impartiality

The answer is: The supererogatory, acts that are admirable but not required

4.[3p]
What is Scheffler's agent-centred prerogative?

A permission to give one's own projects weight out of proportion to their impersonal value

Correct

A prohibition on killing one to save five

The answer is: A permission to give one's own projects weight out of proportion to their impersonal value

A requirement to give a tenth of one's income

The answer is: A permission to give one's own projects weight out of proportion to their impersonal value

A rule that overrides critical thinking

The answer is: A permission to give one's own projects weight out of proportion to their impersonal value

5.[3p]
What does Williams mean by negative responsibility, and why does it matter?

Being as responsible for what you fail to prevent as for what you do, so other people's projects flow through you and dictate your action

Correct

Being blamed for outcomes you could not foresee

The answer is: Being as responsible for what you fail to prevent as for what you do, so other people's projects flow through you and dictate your action

Refusing to act when the consequences are uncertain

The answer is: Being as responsible for what you fail to prevent as for what you do, so other people's projects flow through you and dictate your action

Holding that omissions are never wrong

The answer is: Being as responsible for what you fail to prevent as for what you do, so other people's projects flow through you and dictate your action

6.[2p]
In Williams's case, how many Indians will die if Jim refuses to shoot?

CorrectNot quite: 20

7.[3p]
What is Lyons's collapse objection to rule consequentialism?

For any rule with a bad case, a better rule exists with an exception for it, so the ideal code becomes "maximise the good"

Correct

Rules cannot be taught to ordinary people

The answer is: For any rule with a bad case, a better rule exists with an exception for it, so the ideal code becomes "maximise the good"

Rules always produce worse outcomes than acts

The answer is: For any rule with a bad case, a better rule exists with an exception for it, so the ideal code becomes "maximise the good"

Rule consequentialism is not really consequentialist

The answer is: For any rule with a bad case, a better rule exists with an exception for it, so the ideal code becomes "maximise the good"

8.[3p]
How does Hooker block the collapse?

A code has to be internalised at a cost, so unlimited complexity is penalised and the ideal code stabilises well short of the limit

Correct

He denies that any rule ever produces a bad outcome

The answer is: A code has to be internalised at a cost, so unlimited complexity is penalised and the ideal code stabilises well short of the limit

He allows rules of unlimited complexity

The answer is: A code has to be internalised at a cost, so unlimited complexity is penalised and the ideal code stabilises well short of the limit

He abandons the appeal to consequences entirely

The answer is: A code has to be internalised at a cost, so unlimited complexity is penalised and the ideal code stabilises well short of the limit

9.[3p]
Match each level of Hare's theory to what happens there.

The intuitive level
The critical level
The archangel
The prole

human limitations, doing best on intuitions alone
firm dispositions and simple principles, held with feeling
perfect information and no partiality, reasoning critically throughout
act utilitarian reasoning about which principles to have

Show the answer

The intuitive level: firm dispositions and simple principles, held with feeling The critical level: act utilitarian reasoning about which principles to have The archangel: perfect information and no partiality, reasoning critically throughout The prole: human limitations, doing best on intuitions alone

1.[3p] Why is the transplant case stipulated so that nobody will ever find out?

2.[3p] What is an agent-relative constraint?

3.[3p] What does a maximising theory lose that ordinary moral thought contains?

4.[3p] What is Scheffler's agent-centred prerogative?

5.[3p] What does Williams mean by negative responsibility, and why does it matter?

6.[2p] In Williams's case, how many Indians will die if Jim refuses to shoot?

7.[3p] What is Lyons's collapse objection to rule consequentialism?

8.[3p] How does Hooker block the collapse?

9.[3p] Match each level of Hare's theory to what happens there.

1.[3p]
Why is the transplant case stipulated so that nobody will ever find out?

2.[3p]
What is an agent-relative constraint?

3.[3p]
What does a maximising theory lose that ordinary moral thought contains?

4.[3p]
What is Scheffler's agent-centred prerogative?

5.[3p]
What does Williams mean by negative responsibility, and why does it matter?

6.[2p]
In Williams's case, how many Indians will die if Jim refuses to shoot?

7.[3p]
What is Lyons's collapse objection to rule consequentialism?

8.[3p]
How does Hooker block the collapse?

9.[3p]
Match each level of Hare's theory to what happens there.