Question 1

What do economists mean by "the declining marginal utility of money" and how does Brandt use the concept to argue for greater economic equality?

Accepted Answer

The concept of the declining marginal utility of money refers to the idea that as a person's wealth increases, each additional unit of money they receive provides less and less additional satisfaction or utility. In other words, the more money a person has, the less each additional dollar is worth to them in terms of increasing their overall well-being or happiness.

Economist Amartya Sen and philosopher Martha Nussbaum have used this concept to argue for greater economic equality. They argue that because the marginal utility of money declines as wealth increases, redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor can lead to a more equitable distribution of overall well-being. This is because the same amount of money can provide much greater utility to someone who is poor than to someone who is already wealthy.

Philosopher Harry Brighouse and economist Ingrid Robeyns have also used the concept of declining marginal utility of money to argue for greater economic equality. They suggest that a more equal distribution of wealth can lead to a more just society, as it can help to ensure that everyone has the resources they need to live a decent life.

In summary, the concept of the declining marginal utility of money is used by economists and philosophers to argue for greater economic equality by highlighting the diminishing returns of wealth and the potential for redistributing resources to improve overall well-being and justice in society.

Question 2

Distributive justice concerns the morally proper distribution of social benefits and burdens.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

The difference principle of Rawls includes

Accepted Answer

A)  we are all created equal. 
B)  individuals are justified by working for the benefit of the least advantaged. 
C)  we all deserve the same. 
D)  some do deserve more than others. 
A)  we are all created equal. 
B)  individuals are justified by working for the benefit of the least advantaged. 
C)  we all deserve the same. 
D)  some do deserve more than others. B

Question 4

According to Mill's utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

A)  rights are certain moral rules, the observance of which is of the utmost importance for the long-run, overall maximization of happiness. 
B)  there are no moral rights. 
C)  the rights possessed by human beings remain unchanged for all times and places. 
D)  rights are those rules that a majority of the society would agree to behind the "veil of ignorance." 
A)  rights are certain moral rules, the observance of which is of the utmost importance for the long-run, overall maximization of happiness. 
B)  there are no moral rights. 
C)  the rights possessed by human beings remain unchanged for all times and places. 
D)  rights are those rules that a majority of the society would agree to behind the "veil of ignorance."

Question 5

Explain what Robert Nozick say to Bill Gates concerning his accumulation of wealth. Apply his proponents to the situation.

Accepted Answer

Robert Nozick, a prominent political phi

Question 6

According to John Rawls, people in the original position do not know what social position or status they hold in society.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

According to the "maximin" rule, you should select the alternative under which the worst that could happen to you is better than the worst that could happen to you under any other alternative.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Aristotle's formal principle of justice states,

Accepted Answer

A)  from each according to his or her ability, to each according to his or her need. 
B)  similar cases must be treated alike except where there is some relevant difference. 
C)  all people are to be treated the same in every situation. 
D)  from each according to his or her ability, to each according to his or her merit. 
A)  from each according to his or her ability, to each according to his or her need. 
B)  similar cases must be treated alike except where there is some relevant difference. 
C)  all people are to be treated the same in every situation. 
D)  from each according to his or her ability, to each according to his or her merit.

Question 9

In Nozick's example of Wilt Chamberlain, he argues that other theories of economic justice inevitably fail to respect people's

Accepted Answer

A)  liberty. 
B)  power of choice. 
C)  skills. 
D)  height. 
A)  liberty. 
B)  power of choice. 
C)  skills. 
D)  height.

Question 10

Primary social goods include

Accepted Answer

A)  poverty. 
B)  freedom of religion. 
C)  status. 
D)  leisure time activities. 
A)  poverty. 
B)  freedom of religion. 
C)  status. 
D)  leisure time activities.

Question 11

Utilitarians are likely to be sympathetic to the argument that steps should be taken to reduce the great disparities of income that characterize our society.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

According to libertarianism,

Accepted Answer

A)  there are no natural, Lockean rights. 
B)  we have a basic right to assistance from others. 
C)  people should not attempt to coerce others. 
D)  happiness takes priority over other moral concerns. 
A)  there are no natural, Lockean rights. 
B)  we have a basic right to assistance from others. 
C)  people should not attempt to coerce others. 
D)  happiness takes priority over other moral concerns.

Question 13

Talk of justice and injustice typically focuses on several related moral ideas. Explain what they are.

Accepted Answer

Talk of justice and injustice typically

Question 14

According to Mill, to say that I have a right to something is to say that I have a valid claim on society to protect me in the possession of that thing, either by force of law or through education and opinion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

According to John Rawls, people in "the original position" choose the principles of justice solely on the basis of

Accepted Answer

A)  social utility. 
B)  their religion. 
C)  self-interest. 
D)  their intuitive knowledge of the natural rights of all human beings. 
A)  social utility. 
B)  their religion. 
C)  self-interest. 
D)  their intuitive knowledge of the natural rights of all human beings.

Question 16

Explain the relationship between justice and fairness.

Accepted Answer

Justice and fairness are closely related

Question 17

John Isbister in "Income Distribution" argues that pay differentials are necessary to acknowledge capability, work and talent differences. Is he right?

Accepted Answer

John Isbister's argument in "Income Dist

Question 18

Talk of justice and injustice typically focuses on:

Accepted Answer

A)  fairness, equality, desert, and rights 
B)  reason, reflection, deliberation, and fairness 
C)  feeling, sentiment, happiness, and equality 
D)  fairness, impartiality, duty, and rights 
A)  fairness, equality, desert, and rights 
B)  reason, reflection, deliberation, and fairness 
C)  feeling, sentiment, happiness, and equality 
D)  fairness, impartiality, duty, and rights

Question 19

In Anarchy, State and Utopia, Robert Nozick advocates

Accepted Answer

A)  Libertarianism. 
B)  Kantianism. 
C)  Utilitarianism. 
D)  Egoism. 
A)  Libertarianism. 
B)  Kantianism. 
C)  Utilitarianism. 
D)  Egoism.

Question 20

If the market is left without regulation, will it eventually reward those that deserve it?

Accepted Answer

The question of whether an unregulated m

What do economists mean by "the declining marginal utility of money" and how does Brandt use the concept to argue for greater economic equality?

Distributive justice concerns the morally proper distribution of social benefits and burdens.

The difference principle of Rawls includes

According to Mill's utilitarianism

Explain what Robert Nozick say to Bill Gates concerning his accumulation of wealth. Apply his proponents to the situation.

According to John Rawls, people in the original position do not know what social position or status they hold in society.

According to the "maximin" rule, you should select the alternative under which the worst that could happen to you is better than the worst that could happen to you under any other alternative.

Aristotle's formal principle of justice states,

In Nozick's example of Wilt Chamberlain, he argues that other theories of economic justice inevitably fail to respect people's

Primary social goods include

Utilitarians are likely to be sympathetic to the argument that steps should be taken to reduce the great disparities of income that characterize our society.

According to libertarianism,

Talk of justice and injustice typically focuses on several related moral ideas. Explain what they are.

According to Mill, to say that I have a right to something is to say that I have a valid claim on society to protect me in the possession of that thing, either by force of law or through education and opinion.

According to John Rawls, people in "the original position" choose the principles of justice solely on the basis of

Explain the relationship between justice and fairness.

John Isbister in "Income Distribution" argues that pay differentials are necessary to acknowledge capability, work and talent differences. Is he right?

Talk of justice and injustice typically focuses on:

In Anarchy, State and Utopia, Robert Nozick advocates

If the market is left without regulation, will it eventually reward those that deserve it?

The Nature of Morality

Normative Theories of Ethics

The Nature of Capitalism

Corporations

Consumers

The Environment

The Workplace Basic Issues

The Workplace Todays Challenges

Moral Choices Facing Employees

Job Discrimination

Filters

Exam 3: Justice and Economic Distribution

What do economists mean by "the declining marginal utility of money" and how does Brandt use the concept to argue for greater economic equality?

Distributive justice concerns the morally proper distribution of social benefits and burdens.

The difference principle of Rawls includes

According to Mill's utilitarianism

Explain what Robert Nozick say to Bill Gates concerning his accumulation of wealth. Apply his proponents to the situation.

According to John Rawls, people in the original position do not know what social position or status they hold in society.

According to the "maximin" rule, you should select the alternative under which the worst that could happen to you is better than the worst that could happen to you under any other alternative.

Aristotle's formal principle of justice states,

In Nozick's example of Wilt Chamberlain, he argues that other theories of economic justice inevitably fail to respect people's

Primary social goods include

Utilitarians are likely to be sympathetic to the argument that steps should be taken to reduce the great disparities of income that characterize our society.

According to libertarianism,

Talk of justice and injustice typically focuses on several related moral ideas. Explain what they are.

According to Mill, to say that I have a right to something is to say that I have a valid claim on society to protect me in the possession of that thing, either by force of law or through education and opinion.

According to John Rawls, people in "the original position" choose the principles of justice solely on the basis of

Explain the relationship between justice and fairness.

John Isbister in "Income Distribution" argues that pay differentials are necessary to acknowledge capability, work and talent differences. Is he right?

Talk of justice and injustice typically focuses on:

In Anarchy, State and Utopia, Robert Nozick advocates

If the market is left without regulation, will it eventually reward those that deserve it?

The Nature of Morality

Normative Theories of Ethics

The Nature of Capitalism

Corporations

Consumers

The Environment

The Workplace Basic Issues

The Workplace Todays Challenges

Moral Choices Facing Employees

Job Discrimination

Filters