Question

QUESTION 35

The prisoner's dilemma is a thought experiment that supports the importance of social contract theory.

True

False

2.5 points   

QUESTION 36

John Mackie was an objectivist who believed in the power of facts in ethics.

True

False

2.5 points   

QUESTION 37

The benefits argument states, if we can benefit someone without harming anyone else, we ought to do so.

True

False

2.5 points   

QUESTION 38

Aristotle's Golden Mean says that virtue lies between two extremes (excess and deficiency).

True

False

2.5 points   

QUESTION 39

Kant believes that right actions are the ones that produce the most good.

True

False

2.5 points   

QUESTION 40

Kant was a Christian, but did not make an argument based on religious supposition.

True

False

Answer 1

1. True

Prisoner's Dilemma is a thought experiment which puts you into an imagined situation, where you and another person ,Smith are accused for treason.The condition is that if you both confess, each gets 5 years imprisonment,if only one confesses, the other gets 10 years imprisonment and if no one confesses, each gets 1 year imprisonment.

• The catch is that we can't discuss with Smith what to do.If we think selfishly the better outcome is in confessing because you get either 5 years or no imprisonment.However Smith either gets 5 or 10 years imprisonment.
• If we were allowed to discuss with Smith, the the best option would be that both choose no confession and get 1 year imprisonment each.

The example is used to support the social contract theory, that human beings mutually benefit through social interactions and collective thinking as compared to selfish indiviualistic thinking.