Thomas Hobbes: Political Philosophy

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Questions and Answers

What is the main argument of Thomas Hobbes' seminal work, 'Leviathan'?

To analyze the effects of capitalism

To argue for a social contract and an absolute sovereign (correct)

To guarantee fundamental freedoms and rights to citizens

To advocate for a classless society

Which of the following is NOT a work written by Karl Marx?

The Communist Manifesto

Leviathan (correct)

Das Kapital

The Wealth of Nations (correct)

What is the main purpose of the Court of Appeals (Highest)?

To review decisions of lower courts and uphold, reverse, or modify them (correct)

To analyze the effects of capitalism

To guarantee fundamental freedoms and rights to citizens

To advocate for a classless society

What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

A bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a right?

A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following philosophers is known for his work on political philosophy and argued for a social contract and an absolute sovereign?

Thomas Hobbes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of Marxist Theory?

To analyze the effects of capitalism and advocate for a society without classes or state Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the natural state of mankind according to Thomas Hobbes?

Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the physical act of committing a crime?

Actus Reus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of prejudice?

Feeling distrust towards a person from another ethnicity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the right to articulate one's opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship?

Freedom of Expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for materials that discuss, interpret, and analyze primary sources of law?

Secondary Source of Law Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of stereotyping?

Assuming all elderly people are bad drivers Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the right to vote in elections?

Right to Vote Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a hybrid offence?

Assault Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial?

Bail Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Philosophers

Thomas Hobbes: An English philosopher (1588-1679) who argued for a social contract and an absolute sovereign in his work "Leviathan" to avoid chaos and violence in the natural state of mankind.
He believed that in the absence of political order and law, human life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
Karl Marx: A German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, and socialist revolutionary (1818-1883) who is known for his theories about capitalism and communism.

Marxist Theory

A socio-economic theory that centers on the role of class struggle in societal development and advocates for a society without classes or state.
The theory posits that capitalism, through its inherent inequalities, would lead to its own destruction and be replaced by socialism and eventually communism.

Legal Systems

Court of Appeals (Highest): The highest appellate court in a jurisdiction, which reviews decisions of lower courts and can uphold, reverse, or modify those decisions.
In the United States, the Supreme Court serves as the highest Court of Appeals.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (History): A bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada, enacted in 1982, that guarantees fundamental freedoms and rights to Canadians.
The Charter includes freedoms such as freedom of expression, right to equality, and right to life, liberty, and security of the person.

Rights and Freedoms

Right: A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
Example: The right to vote in elections is a fundamental democratic right.
Freedom: The power or right to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint.
Example: Freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without censorship.

Stereotyping: Generalized beliefs about a particular group of people.
Prejudice: Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience.
Discrimination: Unfair treatment of people based on their membership in a particular group.
Example: Assuming all elderly people are bad drivers (stereotyping), feeling distrust towards a person from another ethnicity (prejudice), refusing to hire someone based on their gender (discrimination).

Law

Secondary Source of Law: Materials that discuss, interpret, and analyze primary sources of law (statutes, regulations, and case law).
Example: Legal textbooks, law review articles, and commentaries are secondary sources of law.
Actus Reus: The physical act of committing a crime.
Mens Rea: The mental intent to commit a crime.
Example: In a theft case, actus reus would be the taking of property, and mens rea would be the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it.
Freedom of Expression: The right to articulate one's opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship.
Example: Protesting government policies peacefully in public.
Hybrid Offence: An offence under Canadian criminal law that can be prosecuted either as an indictable offence or a summary offence.
Example: Assault can be prosecuted as either a summary offence or an indictable offence, depending on the circumstances.
Bail: Temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on the condition that a sum of money be lodged.

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Description

Learn about the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, his work on political philosophy, and his ideas on the social contract and absolute sovereignty.