Political Philosophy - Hobbes and Mills

What is the name of Thomas Hobbes' theory?

What is the name of John Stuart Mill's text?

Thomas Hobbes' developed the 'Social Contract Theory' to...

• get us out of the State of Nature

• People were breaking the social contract

• Anarchists in England wanted absolute individual freedom

• restrict criminals

Hobbes' 'State of Nature' argued that we had absolute individual freedom, but we lacked the security to enjoy it. When faced with such a life, how would people react (according to Hobbes)?

• We should sacrifice all freedoms to the state for some security.

• People will keep to themselves.

• Any rational person would agree to sacrifice some of their freedoms in exchange for security.

• Sacrifice all security and freedom.

An objection to the Social Contract Theory is by critiquing the use of the word 'contract'. What is another objection to Social Contract Theory?

• Hobbes argues it is rational to sacrifice liberty for security. However, accepting Hobbes' premise would lead us to sacrifice all liberties in order to remove risks.

• People can abandon the contract at any time. However, by doing so, they lose protection and revert back to The State of Nature.

• The contract is based on the fact that any rational person would sacrifice some freedoms for security. However, a rational person would also not sacrifice significant freedoms for minor increases in security.

• They are all objections to the theory.

Libertarianism is the political belief that we should always prioritise liberty over equality.

• True

• False

What is an objection to John Stuart Mill's On Liberty?

• There are "backwards" races of "barbarians"

• Legal age of adulthood is a misrepresentation

• Utilitarianism cannot be applied to politics

• Could lead to the State controlling people's lives

Mill wants to apply utilitarianism to politics. In matters which only concern the individual, Mill says "the individual is sovereign". What does this mean?

• The State can interfere with anyone's freedom to prevent them from harming others.

• The State can persuade people to act in their own best interests, but it can't force them to do it (or punish them for not doing it).

• Individuals such as children, the disabled and "barbarians" can have their freedom rightfully restricted by the State.

According to Mill, the State can force people to take actions, if failing to perform that action would harm other people.

• True

• False

How do you feel about Hobbes and Mill after completing this quiz?

• I did well and have a confident understanding of this content.

• I made a few errors and may need to go over the notes. Overall, I feel good about my understanding of the content.

• I am lacking understanding in some areas and need to go over the notes and/or ask for help on certain points.

• I did not understand a lot of these questions and need help to better understand the content.