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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why can passion for power be dangerous?
(a) People can be deceived.
(b) People can be electrocuted.
(c) People can use evil means to get power.
(d) People cannot achieve it.

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

3. What does Hobbes say leads to competition among people?
(a) religion
(b) different abilities
(c) restless desire
(d) different interests

4. How does Hobbes classify a person who speaks for himself?
(a) As a politician
(b) As a diplomat
(c) As a boaster
(d) As an author

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

6. What does Hobbes accept when peace is impossible?
(a) diplomacy
(b) war
(c) surrender
(d) hiding

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

8. What is the sovereign's right in legal matters?
(a) the right to confiscate property when two or more subjects cannot get along
(b) the right to deny legal process to anyone he shooces
(c) the right to make decisions basked on his mood
(d) the right to judge all controversies between his people

9. What does Hobbes say about controlling thoughts?
(a) People learn to do it at an early age.
(b) Thought should not be controlled.
(c) People cannot always do it.
(d) The commonwealth controls thoughts.

10. Why does law need interpretation?
(a) in order to make sure it is not understood
(b) in order to change its meanings
(c) in order to apply it to distinct situations
(d) in order to confuse the public

11. How does Hobbes classify the person or group of people who have someone speak for them?
(a) As dummies
(b) As uneducated
(c) As actors
(d) As helpless

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

13. What are examples of Hobbes' involuntary motions?
(a) breathing, blood flow, and other bodily functions
(b) writing, feeling, and sleeping
(c) thinking, eating, and reading
(d) planning, acting, and rejoicing

14. How does Hobbes define a pact or covenant?
(a) when something is transferred or traded for future payment
(b) when money changes hands
(c) when any promise is made
(d) when something is sold or traded

15. To be sure one has found reason, what is necessary?
(a) All affirmations and negations must be considered.
(b) It must stand the test of time.
(c) The soverign must be consulted.
(d) The negations must be discarded.

Short Answer Questions

1. What option does Hobbes say everyone has?

2. Why does Hobbes contend that no sovereign can do wrong to anyone under his authority?

3. What results are there when an actor makes a contract?

4. What does the commonwealth need to successfully control the society?

5. What is needed to be able to judge what is just or unjust?

(see the answer keys)

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