Question Database: Ethics
Hobbesian Moral Theory
In the Hobbesian state of nature, which of the following is true?
I. There is no injustice.
II. Everyone is in a state of perfect liberty.
III. Promises are not binding.
A. I and II only.
B. II only.
C. II and III only.
D. I and II and III
Answer: D
Topic:
Hobbes, state of nature
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Notes:
Suppose that everyone has a liberty-right to clap their hands. I then promise you that I will never clap my hands. Which of the following is true:
I. I lose a liberty-right (the right to clap hands).
II. You obtain a claim-right (that I not clap hands).
A. I only.
B. II only.
C. I and II.
D. Neither.
Answer: C
Topic:
Hobbes, state of nature, liberty rights, claim rights
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Notes:
Context from lecture:
"Normal' rights are claim-rights. Hobbesian rights are liberty-rights.
(C1) I have a claim-right means you have a duty to me.
(L1) I have a liberty-right means I am not under a duty.
Hobbes: In SON we have a right to everything.
He means a liberty-right.
So this means: we are under no duties to abstain from anything. Entering the commonwealth involves:
Giving up the liberty-rights of nature
Acquiring a general duty to obey the sovereign's laws
Which of these statements could be significant factors for a Hobbesian considering whether we have a right of self-defence, and its limits?
I. If I forgo the right to self-defence, I will be less secure.
II. If the right to self-defence is extended to a right to self-preservation then security for all will be diminished.
III. If the right to self-defence includes the liberty to harm innocents, then we will all be vulnerable to attack.
A. I and II only.
B. I and III only.
C. II and III only.
D. I and II and III.
Answer: D
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Topic:
Hobbes, self defence
Notes:
Which of these statements could be significant factors for a utilitarian considering whether we have a right of self-defence, and its limits?
I. If I forgo the right to self-defence, I will be less secure.
II. If the right to self-defence is extended to a right to self-preservation then security for all will be diminished.
III. If the right to self-defence includes the liberty to harm innocents, then we will all be vulnerable to attack.
A. I and II only.
B. I and III only.
C. II and III only.
D. I and II and III.
Answer: C
Course Level:
First year, intro. to philosophy.
Topic:
utilitarianism, self defence
Notes:
Context from lecture:
the utilitarian has some similar reasons as Hobbes to adopt a rule governing self-defence that limits its applicability. But:
Utilitarian cannot justify individual acts on basis of a rule.
Problem of extreme sacrifice: the organ-harvesting attacker, etc.
Hobbes has no such difficulty, because of the egoistic basis of the contract approach.