Deck 7: Cooperating

Question 1

According to Rousseau, which is false?

A) As each citizen gives himself to the republic, the conditions are the same for all
B) As each gives himself to all, each gives himself to no one, because each has the same right
C) The social contract and subsequent republic, thereby substitutes justice for instinct, and gives citizens morality they formerly lacked
D) This act of association, and placing themselves under the direction of the general will, is a political act only, not a moral act

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Locke argues that the social contract necessitates a monarch with absolute authority to ensure compliance.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

According to Locke, what is the only thing that can bring about a person's being subject to a government?

A) Need
B) Law
C) Justice
D) Consent

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Kant argues that the doctrine of "the will of the public is the supreme law" is without authority.

Question 5

Kant views the social contract as a __________.

A) Mandate from God
B) Historical event
C) Heuristic device
D) Dangerous fiction

Question 6

Hobbes argues that in a state of nature there could be no place for industry.

Question 7

Hobbes' argues that people enter into the social contract in order to escape the state of nature.

Question 8

Kant argues that the republic must be built on __________.

A) Christian beliefs
B) Freedom and equality
C) Capitalism
D) All of the above

Question 9

Rousseau argues that those who refuse to acknowledge the social contract may be justly put to death.

Question 10

Rousseau views the fundamental problem of the social contract as a conflict between the good of the whole society and the liberty of the individual.

Question 11

According to Hobbes, which is not one of the three causes of conflict?

A) Anger
B) Competition
C) Diffidence
D) Glory

Question 12

Hobbes asserts that in a state of nature nothing could be unjust.

Question 13

According to Locke, which is false?

A) Persons leave the state of nature by forming a social contract, political society, commonwealth
B) In such political (contractual) society, the minority can sometimes legitimately override the opinion of the majority
C) Only a person's own consent can put him into subjection to any earthly power
D) Citizens' consent is often tacit as well as express

Question 14

Locke argues that nonhuman animals may be subsumed under the social contract.

Question 15

What does Hobbes say about the nature of man?

A) There are great disparities in intelligence
B) There are great disparities in ingenuity
C) Nature has made us equal
D) The notion of equality is a philosophical fiction

Question 16

According to Kant, legislators should frame laws such that (he thinks) they could have been produced by the united will of a whole nation.

Question 17

Which is not, according to Rousseau, a problem for which the social contract, or republic, is the solution?

A) The need for an association which will protect each and every citizen and his or her goods
B) The need for an association which, while uniting citizens, allows each to obey only him or herself
C) The need for an association which creates the largest territory
D) The need for an association which, while uniting citizens, each remains as free as before

Question 18

Locke argues that man may be subjected to the political authority of the state only when he consents to such subjugation.

Question 19

According to Rousseau, the social contract replace instinct with justice.

Question 20

Kant argues that the political authority of the state derives its authority from the actual historical signing of the social contract.

Question 21

Plato argues that justice is giving each his due.

Question 22

Do you agree with Plato that justice is both an intrinsic, or inherent, good (good in its own right) and good for the results that it brings? Why or why not?

Question 23

Do you favor the more republican (equality-oriented) elements of social contract theory? Why? Do you think that equality or liberty is the moral important moral value?

Question 24

Plato argues that justice is a social construct.

Question 25

Plato observes that state and society are always "in creation," and as such, so is justice. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 26

The selection by Plato deals primarily with the concept of __________.

A) Beauty
B) Equality
C) Justice
D) Governance

Question 27

Mencius gives the example of the child falling into the well to show that __________.

A) We are inclined to feel more concerned about our own children than another's children
B) We are compassionate by nature
C) People have varying degrees of compassion
D) Those who lack the capacity for compassion are mentally ill

Question 28

Plato argues that the concept of justice applies both to the individual and to the state.

Question 29

In this reading, Mencius writes primarily about four virtues. Which of the following is not one of them?

A) Humanity
B) Justice
C) Propriety
D) Forgiveness

Question 30

Mencius argues that we are born virtuous and that virtue has nothing to do with how we were nurtured as young children.

Question 31

Do you agree that state and society should provide clear examples of morality and justice, from which individuals ought to be able to take their cues? Why or why not?

Question 32

Walzer argues that social democracy is the only form of socialism that has every existed.

Question 33

According to Plato, which is false?

A) Justice is a very particular sub-unit of morality
B) Justice can be found in the state
C) Justice can be found in the individual
D) Justice is in a process of creation in regard to the state and society

Question 34

Identify and describe three ways that you honor (explicitly and implicitly) the social contract.

Question 35

Mencius writes that natural human relationships give rise to justice and humanity and that compassion is a universal feeling. Do you agree? Why or why not? If compassion, justice, and humanity, are natural, why do you think such injustice and immorality exist so pervasively?

Question 36

Do you agree that thinking of society and state as a kind of contract (implicit and explicit, "tacit" and 'express" in Locke's terms) is a useful way to view our contemporary societies? Why or why not?

Question 37

Mencius claims that compassion is a universal human emotion.

Question 38

Compare the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Kant. What are the important similarities? What fundamental principles or commitments do they all share? What are the important differences? Why?

Question 39

Mencius writes that justice, or morality, is more important than life itself. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 40

Mencius claims that justice is more important than life itself.

Question 41

You have undoubtedly heard someone say that whatever capitalism's faults, it is better than other alternatives. Or you've heard people simply scoff at the notion of socialism. Do you agree that TINA cannot be taken at face value? Why or why not?

Question 42

Walzer argues that the economy should be open to all.

Question 43

Walzer claims that communism has given socialism a bad name.

Question 44

Which is not a part of Rawls's two principles of justice?

A) Each person has the same claim to a fully adequate scheme of equal basic liberties
B) Social and economic inequalities are to be based on merit
C) Social and economic inequalities are to be attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair opportunity.
D) Social and economic inequalities are to be to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society.

Question 45

Rawls argues that the industrious ought to be entitled to retain their wealth only if the least advantaged person in society benefits from the inequality of this distribution.

Question 46

Walzer claims that history is a tale of hierarchy and subordination and that socialism and democracy are struggles against this in pursuit of social equality. Does this seem like a moral imperative to you? In other words, is there an ethical demand to fight against social subordination by the means of democracy and socialism? Why or why not?

Question 47

Schweickart writes about economic democracy. "Economy/economic" comes from the Greek oikonomia (from which we also get "ecology). It literally means "the order or rule of the house" but is often translated "administration or "stewardship." Whereas democracy and economics have often been seen as different matters, can you see how closely related they are? Do you think full democracy necessitates economic democracy? Why or why not? How else might economic democracy be defined?

Question 48

Which is not one of the basic principles of socialism, according to Walzer?

A) Education should be open and accessible to all
B) Political society should be open and accessible to all
C) The economy should be open and accessible to all
D) All members of political society are collectively responsible for each other's welfare

Question 49

Walzer claims that "social democracy is the only socialism that has every actually existed." Do you agree with his reading of history? Why or why not?

Question 50

Schweickart argues that workplace democracy cannot motivate as well as wage labor.

Question 51

Do you see any reason to disagree with the three principles that Walzer thinks sums up socialism? Why or why not? Would you add or subtract from them? What specific elements of this formula would you change?

Question 52

According to Schweickart, which is false?

A) In the U.S. the top 1% of owns 40 to 50 percent of all U.S. wealth.
B) This is more than the combined wealth of the bottom 95%
C) It is the nature of inequality in the U.S. which is immoral
D) We are fortunate that inequality in the U.S. does not compromise democracy

Question 53

Schweikart argues that capitalism generates large-scale inequalities.

Question 54

Do you agree with Schweickart's objection to gross inequality, especially because of the number of desperately poor people? Why or why not?

Question 55

Schweikart argues that capitalism is immoral.

Question 56

According to Schweickart, which one is not among the negatives of capitalism?

A) Inequality
B) Laziness
C) Unemployment
D) Poverty

Question 57

Rawls advocates that the coercive force of government be employed for wealth redistribution.

Question 58

Like other socialists, Walzer understands socialism and democracy as nearly synonymous. Do you see why they might make this claim? Is there any reason that you can identify as to why this is inaccurate? Why or why not?

Question 59

Walzer supports this political position.

A) Communism
B) Libertarianism
C) Social democracy
D) Social theocracy

Question 60

As Rawls argues, the principles that rational self-interested persons would agree to from behind the veil of ignorance are those that abide by the principle of utility.

Question 61

Nozick argues that it is morally wrong for the government to coerce citizens into aid the poor.

Question 62

Singer states that he uncontroversial appearance of the principle at the hart of his argument is deceptive because if we acted on it, the world would be fundamentally changed. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 63

Nozick agrees with Rawls's contention that the best state is a welfare state.

Question 64

Which of the following is not listed as an example of Rawls' notion of 'basic rights'?

A) Liberty of conscience
B) Political liberties
C) Freedom of association
D) Right to private property

Question 65

Rawls's theory is a theory of "justice as fairness." Do you see anything unjust or unfair in it? Why or why not? Some feminist and other theorists have criticized Rawls's idea of the "original position" because it strips away particularities from the persons who might imagine themselves behind the "veil of ignorance." Do you think this might be a valid criticism, or do you think it could be based on a misunderstanding of Rawls' theory?

Question 66

Singer argues that we have a duty to contribute to famine relief; indeed, he argues that we are morally wrong to spend money on frivolous things, such as new cloths not to keep ourselves warm but to look fashionable, because that money is better used feeding the hungry.

Question 67

Do individuals have rights? What are they? The notion of human rights (Jewish and Christian sources aside) most deeply in liberalism in general and Kant in particular. Having read Kant, do you see why? Do you think that rights have universal or particular application? Do you think that right have religious, theological, or metaphysical origins, or are they human constructs? Do you think it matters whether rights have metaphysical origins or not? Explain your views.

Question 68

He argues that matters of proximity and distance do not infringe the principle at the core of his argument. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 69

Which of the following most accurately captures the central claim of Singer's paper?

A) Giving to famine relief is morally noteworthy, but it is certainly not required
B) Citizens of developed countries have a duty to provide famine relief because it is our excessive consumerism that has lead to global warming, and hence to their famine
C) We ought to condemn those who indulge in luxury instead of giving to famine relief
D) Excessive consumerism is the only way to improve the economic conditions for those living in poverty

Question 70

Singer argues that the traditional distinction between charity and duty may lack moral significance.

Question 71

Instead of government-forced redistribution of wealth, Nozick argues for which of the following?

A) A system of equally shared goods
B) A system of arbitrary selection
C) A system of merit based on qualitative and quantitative criteria
D) A system of entitlement and holdings

Question 72

Which of the following best captures Nozick's position?

A) Capitalism is unjust because it leads to inequalities in wealth
B) Capitalism is unjust because it compromises our democracy
C) Distributive justice ensures social justice
D) Distributive justice violates individual rights

Question 73

Nozick argues that the only state that can be justified in a minimal state.

Question 74

As mentioned earlier, Rawls's work is a contract theory (compare Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Kant). Do you think hat the selection here offers both reasonable and moral conditions for society's social contract?

Question 75

Singer argues from this theoretical position.

A) Egoism
B) Natural law theory
C) Utilitarianism
D) Kantianism

Question 76

If we think of libertarianism as one extreme and of totalitarianism as the other extreme (totalitarianism names the state's total control over a society and people's lives), do you think that a moral society would structure itself somewhere between these extremes-that is, what functions should a state be given and not given? What are they?

Question 77

Singer argues that economic development is the only long-term solution to world poverty.

Question 78

If you spend $200 on a luxury item instead of sending it to Oxfam, Bread for the World, World Vision, or some other antipoverty, food assistance organization (thus saving the life of a child), are you analogous to a person who refuses to wade into the water to save a drowning child? Why or why not?

Question 79

The heart of Rawls's theory has been taken to be the difference principle. Do you think that inequalities in wealth can only be morally justified in they help the least advantaged? Why or why not?

Question 80

Singer writes that the outcome of his argument is that our traditional moral categories are upset. Do you agree? Why or why not?