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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Hobbes say that having friends, followers, and servants is the greatest power?
(a) With friends, followers, and servants one does not need to work.
(b) Having these, one does not need anything else.
(c) Being liked and respected makes people good managers and motivators.
(d) Having these, one does not need to go to war.

2. When is there nothing illegal or unjust in any action done by anyone?
(a) when the commonwealth is too spread out
(b) when there are guidelines
(c) when there is no commonwealth
(d) when no one is looking

3. How must a counselor speak?
(a) loudly so he can be heard at the back of the group
(b) truthfully and concisely without using too many confusing and eloquent words
(c) angrily so that the group will fear him
(d) with a lot of repetition so his points sink in

4. How does Hobbes define injustice of an action?
(a) injury
(b) premeditation
(c) a lawsuit
(d) accidents

5. Where does Hobbes insist people go when they disagree?
(a) To a priest
(b) To a judge
(c) To the boxing ring
(d) To a teacher

6. Why does Hobbes say that people are always seeking more power, wealth, or popularity?
(a) People are like animals.
(b) People believe in the supernatural.
(c) People are restless.
(d) People can think.

7. Why must people create a covenant or agreement to give power to one person, or small group of people?
(a) It is not possible to assemble all the people all the time.
(b) Some think too highly of themselves or blow things out of proportion.
(c) Too many cooks spoil the broth.
(d) That is the natural way of doing things.

8. How does Hobbes say a commonwealth is taken by acquisition?
(a) Adjacent territory is annexed by vote.
(b) People ask to join a bigger commonwealth.
(c) Money is exchanged for the new territory.
(d) In fear of death, men surrender to the new commonwealth

9. What example does Hobbes give to support his idea that just banding together is not enough for protection?
(a) A flock of birds cannot defeat the cat.
(b) Twenty sheep cannot fight off a pack of wolves.
(c) Two families joined are not powerful enough to combat three families.
(d) A hundred rabbits can scare a hunter.

10. What does Hobbes call a third law of nature?
(a) habitation
(b) justice
(c) the inevitability of death
(d) security

11. What is Hobbes' only conditionality regarding all people being created equal?
(a) Some may be taller than others.
(b) Some may be stronger or smarter than others.
(c) Some may be better looking than others.
(d) Some may be born into money.

12. What does Hobbes call a dominion acquired by conquest?
(a) Impoversihed
(b) Natural
(c) Democratic
(d) Despotical

13. What kinds of questions does Hobbes say people have little interest in?
(a) things that have to do with the supernatural
(b) things that involve faith
(c) things that have absolute answers like math and science
(d) things that have no known answers

14. Where can a monarch go for advice?
(a) public opinion polls
(b) special elections
(c) only to God
(d) counsel he has appointed for that purpose

15. What, left uncontrolled, does Hobbes say can lead to misery and unhappiness?
(a) personality, education, and drive
(b) pride, sloth, and gluttany
(c) competition, harmful shyness, and vain glory
(d) hunger, alcohol, and hedonism

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Hobbes' idea about self-protection in natural law?

2. What is the second right of the sovereign?

3. What does Hobbes say a person is doing when he stops defending himself?

4. What example does Hobbes give as a meaningless combination of words?

5. Why can passion for power be dangerous?

(see the answer keys)

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