Question 1

Who said that life without government would be "solitary,poor,nasty,brutish,and short"?

Accepted Answer

Thomas Hobbes famously stated in his book "Leviathan" that life without government would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Question 2

When Hobbes and Locke speak of the "state of nature," they are referring to

Accepted Answer

Both Hobbes and Locke believed that the state of nature is a hypothetical scenario in which individuals live without any established authority or government. They argue that this state would lead to chaos, violence, and insecurity, and thus advocates for the creation of a social contract that ensures individuals' rights and security. Therefore, the state of nature refers to human life without government.

Question 3

According to John Stuart Mill,under what conditions would it be permissible to prohibit free speech?

Accepted Answer

According to John Stuart Mill, free speech can only be limited when it is likely to cause immediate harm. This harm includes physical harm, such as inciting violence or causing panic, as well as psychological harm, such as emotional distress. However, speech that is offensive or even false should not be restricted, as it is necessary for the pursuit of truth and the development of knowledge. Mill believed that a free marketplace of ideas, where all opinions can be openly expressed and debated, is necessary for the advancement of society. Therefore, choice A and B are not correct, and choice D is an extreme position that Mill did not hold.

Question 4

Socrates argues against civil disobedience by saying

Accepted Answer

Socrates argues against civil disobedience by highlighting that one should not retaliate with evil, acknowledging the nurturing role of his society's laws, and distinguishing between being wronged by individuals rather than the laws themselves.

Question 5

Which of the following was an advocate of anarchism?

Accepted Answer

Robert Paul Wolff is known for advocating anarchism, particularly in his work "In Defense of Anarchism," where he argues against the legitimacy of state authority. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, on the other hand, did not advocate for anarchism; Hobbes is known for his support of absolute sovereignty as a solution to human nature's problems, and Locke advocated for a government with limited powers that would protect individuals' natural rights.

Question 6

Rawls believes that the principles that govern society will be just and fair if

Accepted Answer

Rawls believes that the principles that govern society will be just and fair if they are chosen behind a veil of ignorance, where individuals do not know their social position, wealth, or natural abilities. This ensures that the principles are not biased towards any particular group and are fair for all individuals in society regardless of their personal characteristics.

Question 7

Karl Marx believed that the driving force in human behavior and history is

Accepted Answer

Marx's theory of historical materialism holds that economic factors, particularly the relationships between capitalists and workers, are the driving force behind societal development and change. He believed that economic systems determined the organization of society and ultimately shaped human behavior and history.

Question 8

Susan Moller Okin criticizes Rawls for

Accepted Answer

Susan Moller Okin criticizes Rawls for failing to appreciate the significance of gender in his theory of justice. She argues that Rawls' theory neglects the fact that women are often disadvantaged in society and fails to address the gender-based inequalities that exist. She suggests that any theory of justice must take into account the experiences of all members of society, including women.

Question 9

Which one of the following is a concept in John Rawls's philosophy that is similar to the concept of the "state of nature"?

Accepted Answer

The concept in Rawls's philosophy that is similar to the concept of the "state of nature" is the original position. Just as the state of nature is a hypothetical scenario used by philosophers to analyze the nature of humanity in a pre-political society, the original position is a hypothetical scenario used by Rawls to analyze the nature of justice in a society prior to the establishment of specific laws and institutions.

Question 10

According to Marx,the three components in the process of history are

Accepted Answer

According to Marx, history is driven by the conflict and interaction between a thesis (an existing social arrangement), an antithesis (a challenge to that arrangement), and eventually a synthesis (a new social arrangement that incorporates elements of both the thesis and antithesis). This process of thesis-antithesis-synthesis is known as dialectical materialism. The other answer choices do not accurately reflect Marx's view on the components of history.

Question 11

Which of the following philosophers was very influential on Marx?

Accepted Answer

Georg Hegel was very influential on Marx, particularly his concept of dialectical materialism. Marx developed his ideas of historical materialism and class struggle from Hegelian philosophy.

Question 12

When Thomas Aquinas speaks about the "natural law," he is referring to

Accepted Answer

Thomas Aquinas speaks about the "natural law" as an objective moral law that is discovered through reason and experience. It is a set of principles that are inherent to human nature and can be discerned through rational inquiry, rather than being based on culture or convention. It is different from physical laws and behaviors that are natural to animals but opposed to human morality.

Question 13

A society's obligation to protect individual rights,according to John Stuart Mill,is based on

Accepted Answer

According to John Stuart Mill, the obligation of society to protect individual rights is based on the demands of general utility, also known as the greatest happiness principle. Mill argues that allowing individuals to have maximum freedom in pursuing their own happiness will ultimately lead to the greatest happiness for society as a whole. Therefore, protecting individual rights is necessary for promoting the general welfare and maximizing overall utility.

Question 14

Which of the following was an advocate of a meritocracy?

Accepted Answer

Plato advocated for a society governed by philosopher-kings, where rulers are chosen based on their intelligence, wisdom, and virtue, rather than birthright or wealth, which aligns with the principles of meritocracy.

Question 15

In Plato's ideal society,those who had the most freedom and personal wealth were

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Plato's ideal society,those who had the...

Question 16

According to Marx,the process of history in which a new era arises from the tension of opposing forces is called

Accepted Answer

According to Marx, the process of history in which a new era arises from the tension of opposing forces is called dialectic. Marx believed in the dialectical materialism, which argued that changes in society occur through the struggle between different social classes, ultimately leading to a revolution and the establishment of a new social order. This process is driven by the dialectical relationship between the thesis (existing social order), antithesis (opposing force or class), and the synthesis (new social order).

Question 17

Mohandas Gandhi used civil disobedience for which of the following causes?

Accepted Answer

Mohandas Gandhi used civil disobedience as a peaceful protest method to campaign for India's independence from British rule. He encouraged nonviolent resistance, including boycotts, strikes, and protests, to challenge the British government's rule over India. Gandhi's nonviolent strategy inspired many civil rights leaders around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.

Question 18

Rawls's "difference principle" states that

Accepted Answer

Rawls's "difference principle" advocates that social and economic inequalities should be arranged so that they benefit the least advantaged members of society. This means that inequality is acceptable only if it helps those who are already in the worst position. Thus, option C is the correct choice. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect Rawls's "difference principle."

Question 19

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke agreed that

Accepted Answer

The answer of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke agreed that
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Question 20

In the Crito,Socrates' friends said that he should break the law in which one of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

Socrates' friends believe that he should escape from prison in order to avoid his unjust execution.

Quiz 6: The Search for the Just Society