2026年3月托福机经套卷(第5套)Read an Academic Passage / 25 道题

Value Theory

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Value Theory Value theory investigates the nature of values and the principles that determine what is worth pursuing, both individually and collectively. Central questions include: What makes something good? Are values objective features of the world or subjective preferences? A key distinction in value theory is between intrinsic value, which denotes value something has in itself, and instrumental value, which refers to the value of something as a means to an end. One influential theory within this domain is utilitarianism, which posits that the moral worth of actions is determined by their consequences, specifically the maximization of overall happiness or utility. This consequentialist framework has shaped ethical reasoning in fields ranging from public policy to economics. However, critics argue that utilitarianism's aggregation of happiness can negate individual rights and seemingly justify morally troubling trade-offs. For example, allocating limited healthcare resources to benefit the majority may disadvantage those with rare or costly conditions, raising concerns about fairness and equity. Contemporary value theorists often endorse value pluralism, the view that multiple, sometimes conflicting values—such as autonomy, justice, and compassion—are irreducibly important. This pluralistic approach emphasizes the complexity of ethical decision-making and the need to navigate competing goods instead of reducing them to a single metric.

Question 1查看单题

According to the passage, value theory is concerned with all of the following EXCEPT

Ahow to determine what is good

Bwhether values are personal preferences

Chow to distinguish between values and principles

Dthe difference between intrinsic and instrumental value

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正确答案：C

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Question 2查看单题

What does the phrase "This consequentialist framework" refer to?

AThe view that the consequences of an action determine its morality

BTheories that foreground the happiness of the individual in assigning value

CThe underlying view that theories of value have an impact on making life decisions

DThe debate about how best to balance competing outcomes of happiness and utility

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正确答案：A

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Question 3查看单题

The word "allocating" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Adistributing

Bacquiring

Cincreasing

Dtracking

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正确答案：A

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Question 4查看单题

According to the passage, what is one main criticism of utilitarianism?

AIts implementation may benefit public policy, but it is less helpful for economic decisions.

BIts priority of making healthcare more accessible creates higher costs for most people.

CIn its efforts to benefit large numbers of people, it may harm some individuals.

DThere is little evidence that it leads to improved healthcare for the majority.

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正确答案：C

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Question 5查看单题

What does the passage suggest about value pluralism?

AIt was a popular system for making decisions until quite recently.

BIt gives primary consideration to compassion while autonomy plays a secondary role.

CIt states that ethical decisions require the input of multiple decision-makers.

DIt argues that ethical decisions should not be based on just one criterion.

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正确答案：D