Midterm For Business Ethics Widener University

Thomas Hobbes actually argued that religion is not the foundation of morality. In his book "Leviathan," he proposed that morality is based on self-interest and the desire to avoid the state of nature, which he described as a war of all against all. According to Hobbes, individuals enter into a social contract to establish a governing authority that can enforce laws and maintain order. This social contract is not dependent on religion but rather on the rational pursuit of self-preservation and the avoidance of chaos. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

The Divine Command Theory is a theory about the foundations of morality. It posits that moral obligations are determined by God's commands. According to this theory, what is morally good or bad is solely dictated by God's will. This perspective asserts that ethical principles are not based on human reasoning or societal norms, but rather on divine authority. Therefore, the correct answer is that the Divine Command Theory is a theory about the foundations of morality, stating that God dictates what is morally good and what is morally bad.

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of knowledge, including its scope and limitations. It examines questions such as what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and how we can differentiate between true and false beliefs. Therefore, "The theory of knowledge" is the correct answer as it accurately describes epistemology. The other options, "The theory of values" and "A work written by the philosopher Rene Descartes," are incorrect as they do not capture the essence of epistemology.

Ontology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence or reality. It explores questions about what exists, what can be said to exist, and how different entities relate to each other. Therefore, the correct answer is "The theory of reality".

The explanation for the given correct answer is that Shaw argues that both individual moral relativism and cultural moral relativism are implausible positions. He believes that through rational reflection, agreements can be established across cultural and personal boundaries. Shaw also states that reason, the capacity for dialogue, and the ability to give and evaluate arguments provide a foundation for morality. This aligns with the statement that the answer is true, as it supports Shaw's belief in the possibility of establishing moral agreements through rationality and dialogue.

The state of nature refers to a theory about the original state of human beings. It describes a world where individuals constantly struggle and compete for resources. This theory suggests that in the absence of government or societal structures, humans would naturally be in a state of conflict and competition.

John Arthur's attempt to show that religion is not the basis for moral judgments indicates that he believes there are alternative foundations for moral judgments besides religion. This suggests that he is arguing for a secular or non-religious approach to morality, emphasizing that individuals can make moral judgments without relying on religious beliefs or doctrines. Therefore, the correct answer is True.

The explanation for the answer "False" is that individual moral relativism does not state that moral values depend on social norms and cultural practices of a group of people. Instead, individual moral relativism posits that moral values are subjective and vary from person to person. It suggests that each individual determines their own moral values based on their own beliefs, experiences, and personal preferences, rather than being influenced solely by societal or cultural norms.

Robert Nozick argues that a system of distributive justice should not rely solely on the laws and institutional structures imposed and administered by the state. He believes in the principle of individual rights and minimal government intervention in redistributing resources. Nozick argues for a minimal state that only enforces contracts and protects against force or fraud, allowing individuals to freely exchange and distribute resources as they see fit. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

An argument is a systematic arrangement of sentences that presents a logical and coherent reasoning to support a claim or point of view. It involves presenting evidence, analysis, and reasoning in a structured manner to persuade others or prove a point. This choice accurately describes the nature of an argument and distinguishes it from the other options provided.