Free Practice Quiz Question List

02 Moral Truth and Knowledge Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 02 Moral Truth and Knowledge, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

Choose one

1 point

Which option best captures the distinction between moral objectivism and moral realism as presented in the material?

A
Objectivism says moral claims are factual but none are true; realism says moral truth depends on cultural codes.
B
Objectivism says some moral judgments are true independently of beliefs; realism says some moral claims describe facts and are true.
C
Objectivism says moral truth depends on individual attitudes; realism says moral truth depends on group attitudes.
D
Objectivism and realism both mean that people generally agree about moral questions.

Choose one

1 point

People disagree deeply about punishment and equality. What conclusion about moral truth is best supported by the material?

A
It proves that moral judgments are only expressions of personal feelings.
B
It establishes that moral inquiry cannot ever make progress.
C
It raises a challenge but does not by itself show that no moral fact exists.
D
It shows that every community’s moral code is equally justified.

Choose one

1 point

A researcher observes that communities follow different customs. Which interpretation avoids confusing that observation with moral relativism?

A
Customs vary is a descriptive claim; relativism is a further claim about truth or justification relative to a framework.
B
Customs vary is a form of error theory; relativism denies that moral claims can be true.
C
Customs vary proves that every moral practice should be tolerated.
D
Customs vary is a claim about individual attitudes, while relativism always claims that moral facts are objective.

Choose all

1 point

Which approaches does the material identify as possible contributors to moral knowledge? Select all that apply.

A
Testing judgments for consistency with principles
B
Treating empirical evidence as sufficient by itself to settle every moral question
C
Learning about people’s needs and the effects of policies
D
Comparing particular judgments with principles and relevant facts, then revising where needed

Choose all

1 point

Which statements accurately distinguish non-cognitivism, error theory, and moral skepticism? Select all that apply.

A
Non-cognitivism holds that moral statements do not function primarily as factual claims.
B
Error theory holds that moral claims purport to describe objective facts, but none are true because the required facts do not exist.
C
Relativism says moral claims are never true under any standard.
D
Moral skepticism can question whether moral knowledge is possible without being a single unified theory.

True or false

1 point

True or false: On a simple individual version of moral subjectivism, whether an act is wrong can depend on whether the individual disapproves of it.

A
True
B
False

True or false

1 point

True or false: Reflective equilibrium seeks a coherent view by comparing and revising judgments, principles, and relevant facts.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

What is the name of the position that treats moral claims as attempts to describe objective moral facts but holds that none are true because those facts do not exist?

Written response

1 point

What is the name of the field that examines possible sources and methods of moral knowledge?

Fill in the blank

1 point

Moral subjectivism makes moral truth depend on attitudes or .

Fill in the blank

1 point

Empirical evidence may not settle a moral question by itself, but it can correct factual on which a judgment depends.

Open ended

1 point

Explain how reflective equilibrium develops a moral view and identify one limitation of relying on it.

Choose one

1 point

A philosopher thinks moral claims can be true or false but doubts that people can know which ones are true. Which characterization best fits this view?

A
It must deny that moral statements can be truth-apt.
B
It can question moral knowledge while allowing that moral claims are truth-apt.
C
It is another name for cultural relativism.
D
It always holds that moral claims are true relative to a community's code.

True or false

1 point

True or false: Evidence about the effects of a policy can improve the factual basis of a moral judgment without, by itself, settling the moral question.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A society approves of a practice, but a critic argues that the practice is still wrong. Which position best supports the critic’s claim that the society’s approval does not determine whether the judgment is true?

A
A judgment is true only when most people in a society accept it.
B
At least some moral judgments can be true or false independently of what people believe.
C
Moral judgments merely express a speaker’s feelings.
D
No moral judgment can be known.

Choose one

1 point

Someone says, “That act is wrong” and means only “I disapprove of that act.” Which view does this example most directly illustrate?

A
The individual’s attitude determines whether the judgment is true.
B
The judgment is true only if it describes an objective moral fact.
C
A community’s shared code determines whether the judgment is true according to that code.
D
The judgment cannot be true or false because moral statements never make factual claims.

Choose one

1 point

A person uses “Cheating is wrong” mainly to condemn cheating and urge others not to do it, rather than to report a moral fact. Which position best fits this account of how the statement functions?

A
Moral objectivism, because the statement must be true independently of belief.
B
Error theory, because the statement describes a fact that does not exist.
C
Non-cognitivism, because the statement may function as a prescription rather than a factual report.
D
Cultural relativism, because the statement must be true according to a community’s code.

Written response

1 point

A student compares particular moral judgments with general principles and relevant facts, then revises whichever parts do not fit well together. What method of moral reasoning is the student using?

Choose one

1 point

Which position says that moral claims purport to describe objective moral facts, but that no such claims are true because the facts they require do not exist?

A
Moral subjectivism: moral claims are true relative to an individual’s attitude.
B
Non-cognitivism: moral claims do not primarily function as factual claims.
C
Error theory: moral claims purport to describe objective facts, but none are true because those facts do not exist.
D
Cultural relativism: moral claims are true only according to a shared community standard.

Written response

1 point

A philosopher accepts that moral claims might be true but doubts that anyone can know which ones are true. What broad position does this view exemplify?