Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) Practice Exam

The term "moral passions" refers to emotions that influence moral actions and ethical behavior. These emotions can motivate individuals to act in ways that are aligned with their moral beliefs and values. For example, feelings such as empathy, guilt, and compassion are considered moral passions because they can prompt a person to help others or to engage in prosocial behavior.

In contrast, the other choices do not capture the essence of what moral passions entail. Neutral emotions do not have the same influence on moral decision-making, and simply categorizing moral passions as negative feelings overlooks the range of emotions that can drive positive moral actions. Indifferent responses suggest a lack of emotional engagement, which is contrary to the motivating force that moral passions embody. Therefore, understanding moral passions involves recognizing the significant role that emotions play in guiding ethical behavior and decision-making in various moral contexts.