Deck 70: Robert Paul Wolff: In Defense of Anarchism

Question 1

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-According to Wolff, the fundamental assumption of moral philosophy is that men are

A) bound by authority.
B) guided by universal law.
C) without free will.
D) responsible for their actions.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-According to Wolff, taking responsibility for one's actions involves attempting to

A) discern the will of the state.
B) obey the law.
C) determine what one should do.
D) determine the will of authority.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-According to Wolff, the responsible man knows that he is

A) not bound by moral restraints.
B) bound by moral restraints.
C) bound by the will of others.
D) free from all possible restraint.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-According to Wolff, moral autonomy is a combination of

A) moral anarchy and freedom.
B) freedom and submission to the state.
C) freedom and responsibility.
D) freedom and moral anarchy.

Question 5

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff argues that anarchism is the only political doctrine consistent with the virtue of autonomy.

Question 6

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-An anarchist must sometimes view the commands of the state as legitimate.

Question 7

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff believes that there is no state whose subjects have a moral obligation to obey its commands.

Question 8

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff thinks that the only legitimate response to the state is violence.

Question 9

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff says that authority is the right to command and, correlatively, the right to be obeyed.

Question 10

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff argues that states do not exist.

Question 11

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff asserts that the responsible man acknowledges that he is bound by moral restraints, but this man insists that he alone is the judge of those restraints.

Question 12

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-According to Wolff, the primary obligation of man is to obey the authority of the state.

Question 13

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-According to Wolff, man has an obligation to obey the laws of the state simply because they are laws.

Question 14

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Wolff says that the anarchist may grant the necessity of complying with the law under certain circumstance.

Question 15

Wolff sets forth a version of anarchism, holding that all forms of government violate our overriding duty to act autonomously. Wolff's argument (and essay) can be divided into two parts. In the first he describes the meaning of political authority, distinguishing it from mere power. In the second part he defines autonomy and argues that it is incompatible with accepting authority.
-Hobbes uses the term Leviathan to refer to democratic government.