Question 1

Macaulay tells us that "I know of no rational objection; nor can I think of any expedient to remove the well grounded apprehensions of the different interests which compose a commonwealth, than a fair and equal representation of the whole people, a circumstance which appears very peculiarly necessary in a mixed form of government, where the democratic part of the constitution will ever be in danger of being overborne by the energy attending on its higher constituent parts."

Accepted Answer

Macaulay argues that a fair and equal representation of the whole people is necessary in a mixed form of government to address the well-grounded apprehensions of different interests and to prevent the democratic part of the constitution from being overborne by the higher constituent parts.

Question 2

Macaulay tells us that "On such grounds of reasoning, there will be found no insuperable objections to those propositions of Dr. Price, which are so highly censured by Mr. Burke, as containing principles of the most seditious and dangerous nature; even though we should allow that every government which accords with the opinions and the inclinations of the large majority of the people, is, in an high sense of the term, a factional state."

Accepted Answer

The quote is not accurately attributed to Macaulay. Thomas Babington Macaulay, a British historian and Whig politician, is known for his essays and historical works, but this specific quote does not align with his documented writings or style. The quote discusses a debate between Dr. Price and Mr. Burke, likely referring to the philosophical and political disagreements between Richard Price, a British moral philosopher, and Edmund Burke, a British statesman. Macaulay did write extensively on political and historical subjects, but this quote does not match his known works or thematic focus.

Question 3

Macaulay tells us that "That the people have often abused their power, it must be granted; for they have often sacrificed themselves and their posterity to the wanton will of an individual, and this is the foundation of all the regal tyrannies which have subsisted in society."

Accepted Answer

Macaulay is stating that people have often abused their power by sacrificing themselves and their posterity to the whims of an individual, which has led to the establishment of tyrannies in society.

Question 4

Macaulay tells us that "If the French people therefore should be so capricious as to fling off their new constitution, and subject themselves to more unequal forms of government, or even to tyranny, it will be agreeable to the course of past experience. But such an exertion of power cannot injure their right; and whatever form or complexion any future government in France may bear, it can have no legitimate source, but in the strength of the economy."

Accepted Answer

The quote provided does not match any known writings or speeches by Thomas Babington Macaulay, who was a British historian, politician, and writer in the 19th century. Macaulay's works primarily focused on British and European history and did not directly address the future of French governance in the manner described.

Question 5

Macaulay tells us that "On such grounds of reasoning, there will be found no insuperable objections to those propositions of Dr. Price, which are so highly censured by Mr. Burke, as containing principles of the most seditious and dangerous nature; even though we should allow that every government which accords with the opinions and the inclinations of the large majority of the people, is, in an high sense of the term, a legitimate government." Do you agree with Macaulay? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Macaulay tells us that "On such grounds...

Question 6

Macaulay tells us that "That the people have often abused their power, it must be granted; for they have often sacrificed themselves and their posterity to the wanton will of an individual, and this is the foundation of all the regal tyrannies which have subsisted in society." Do you agree with Macaulay? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Macaulay tells us that "That the people...

Question 7

Macaulay tells us that "If the French people therefore should be so capricious as to fling off their new constitution, and subject themselves to more unequal forms of government, or even to tyranny, it will be agreeable to the course of past experience. But such an exertion of power cannot injure their right; and whatever form or complexion any future government in France may bear, it can have no legitimate source, but in the will of the people." Do you agree with Macaulay? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Macaulay tells us that "If the French...

Question 8

Explain what Macaulay means when she tells us that "for the rich, when possessed of the whole authority of the state, would be sure to take the first care of themselves, if they should not be tempted to secure an exoneration of all burthens, by dividing the spoils of the public; and that the abuse of such high trusts must necessarily arise, because to act by selfish considerations, is in the very constitution of our nature." Do you agree with Macaulay?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what Macaulay means when she tells...

Question 9

Explain what Macaulay means when she tells us that "I know of no rational objection; nor can I think of any expedient to remove the well grounded apprehensions of the different interests which compose a commonwealth, than a fair and equal representation of the whole people, a circumstance which appears very peculiarly necessary in a mixed form of government, where the democratic part of the constitution will ever be in danger of being overborne by the energy attending on its higher constituent parts." Do you agree with Macaulay?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain what Macaulay means when she tells...

Question 10

Mill explores the "the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual," which he calls ...

Accepted Answer

Mill calls it "Social Liberty" as he is exploring the limits of the power that society can rightfully exercise over an individual's actions and decisions. He argues that individuals should have the freedom to act as they please as long as it does not harm others.

Question 11

According to Mill, "What was now wanted was, that the rulers should be identified with the people; that their interest and will should be the interest and will of the nation. The nation did not need to be protected against its own will. There was no fear of its ____________ over itself."

Accepted Answer

Mill is arguing that the rulers should be in tune with the will of the people, and that there is no need to protect the nation against its own will. The word "tyrannizing" fits in this context, as it suggests a ruler who imposes their will on the people and ignores their desires. The other options, "patronizing", "revolving", and "tripping", do not make sense in this context.

Question 12

Mill says, "The will of the people, moreover, practically means, the will of the most numerous or the most active part of the people; the ..."

Accepted Answer

Mill specifies that the will of the people is determined by the most numerous or active part of the people, which would typically be the majority. Therefore, choice (A) majority is the best answer. Choices (B) elites, (C) business class, and (D) middle class are not supported by Mill's statement.

Question 13

According to Mill, "the people, consequently, may desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this, as against any other abuse of power; thus __________________________ is now generally included among the evils against which society requires to be on its guard."

Accepted Answer

Mill is referring to the "tyranny of the majority," which is the danger that the majority will use their power to oppress a minority within society. This is why precautions are needed to prevent any abuse of power by the majority, just as there are precautions against abuse by those in authority.

Question 14

Mill says, "there needs protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling; against the tendency of society to impose, by other means than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who ..."

Accepted Answer

Mill argues for protection against the tyranny of society imposing its ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent from them. The other options are not relevant to Mill's argument in this context.

Question 15

Mill says, "There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with ________________________: and to find that limit, and maintain it against encroachment, is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs, as protection against political despotism."

Accepted Answer

Mill argues that there is a limit to how much collective opinion should interfere with the individual independence of people. It is necessary to find and maintain this limit to ensure a good condition of human affairs, just as it is necessary to protect against political despotism. The other options (established government, scientific community, religious organizations) may also have limits to collective opinion interference, but they are not the focus of Mill's argument.

Question 16

Mill says, "Yet the people of any given age and country no more suspect any difficulty in it, than if it were a subject on which mankind had always been agreed. The rules which obtain among themselves appear to them self-evident and self-justifying. This all but universal illusion is one of the examples of the magical influence of _______, which is not only, as the proverb says, a second nature, but is continually mistaken for the first."

Accepted Answer

Mill is describing how people often don't question the customs and norms of their own society, even if those customs seem arbitrary or unjustified. He notes that this is a widespread phenomenon, and that people often mistake these customs for being an inherent aspect of human nature or universal truth. Therefore, the best choice is (A) custom.

Question 17

Mill says, "Wherever there is an ________________, a large portion of the morality of the country emanates from its class interests, and its feelings of class superiority."

Accepted Answer

Mill is referring to the influence of the ascendant or dominant class in society, which he believes shapes the prevailing morality based on their interests and perceptions of superiority.

Question 18

Mill says, "The object of this essay is to assert one very simple principle; that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is ..."

Accepted Answer

Mill asserts that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. This means that individuals or societies may limit the freedom of others if it is necessary for protecting themselves from harm or danger.

Question 19

Mill says, "This, then, is the appropriate region of human liberty. It comprises, first, the inward domain of _______________; demanding liberty of conscience, in the most comprehensive sense; liberty of thought and feeling; absolute freedom of opinion and sentiment on all subjects, practical or speculative, scientific, moral, or theological."

Accepted Answer

The phrase "inward domain" suggests that Mill is referring to the individual's mental or psychological realm. The term "liberty of conscience" reinforces this idea, as it pertains to a person's beliefs and values. "Consciousness" is therefore the best choice, as it encompasses both the psychological and ethical aspects of Mill's argument. "Metaphysics" and "epistemology" refer to more specific branches of philosophy that do not capture the breadth of Mill's claims, while "authoritarianism" is the opposite of what Mill is advocating for.

Question 20

Mill explores the "the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual," which he calls "Social Liberty."

Accepted Answer

Mill's essay On Liberty explores the concept of Social Liberty and the legitimate power of society over the individual.

Quiz 8: Plato Apology