WC PPOS, Emma Hamm 2078889
WC Political Philosophy and Organ.
Studies
WG 1. Multiple Choice Exercises 2
WG 2. How to Adjudicate in Cultural Disputes? 7
, WC PPOS, Emma Hamm 2078889
WG 1. Multiple Choice Exercises
1. Who claimed to be the wisest person in the country because “he knew that he knew
nothing”?
A) Benedictus Spinoza
B) John Rawls
C) Isaac Newton
D) Socrates
2. Which of the following traditions regards the political philosopher as a cartographer of
social relations and conflicts?
A) Hobbesian social contract theory
B) All of political philosophy
C) Normative theory
D) Critical theory
3. In 2025, the war between Russia and Ukraine reaches an unfortunate climax with
Russia launching a nuclear missile on The Hague. The Netherlands are turned into a
post-apocalyptic wasteland in a matter of seconds. The entire Dutch government is
killed in the attack and the State breaks down completely. The last survivors are left
without police or government authorities to enforce criminal law, leading to
widespread violence. Which of the following theories BEST describes this story?
A) Benedictus Spinoza’s theory of the state of nature.
B) John Rawls’ theory of the original position.
C) Thomas Hobbes’ theory of the state of nature.
D) John Rawls’ theory of the philosopher as legislator and judge.
4. What is social intuitionism?
A) A psychological theory formulated by John Rawls which states that people must
argue about politics from the standpoint of the original position to arrive at impartial
and fair judgments.
B) A psychological theory formulated by Jonathan Haidt which states that people
tend to invent rational arguments for the moral beliefs they already have rather
than derive their moral beliefs from rational arguments.
C) A psychological theory formulated by Jonathan Haidt which states that people first
reason impartially and rationally about political matters before they come to a
conclusion.
D) A psychological theory formulated by John Rawls which states that, in everyday
politics, people let their political reasoning be clouded by conflicts of interest.
5. Imagine the Dutch government would decide that, from now on, all Dutch citizens
must go to Church every Sunday morning. If they fail to comply, the police can give
them a fine of up to 150 euros. Would a Rawlsian believe this to be a just law?
A) The law would be just because, if everyone attends Church, the State can promote
the cultivation of communal solidarity and a shared sense of the good life.
WC Political Philosophy and Organ.
Studies
WG 1. Multiple Choice Exercises 2
WG 2. How to Adjudicate in Cultural Disputes? 7
, WC PPOS, Emma Hamm 2078889
WG 1. Multiple Choice Exercises
1. Who claimed to be the wisest person in the country because “he knew that he knew
nothing”?
A) Benedictus Spinoza
B) John Rawls
C) Isaac Newton
D) Socrates
2. Which of the following traditions regards the political philosopher as a cartographer of
social relations and conflicts?
A) Hobbesian social contract theory
B) All of political philosophy
C) Normative theory
D) Critical theory
3. In 2025, the war between Russia and Ukraine reaches an unfortunate climax with
Russia launching a nuclear missile on The Hague. The Netherlands are turned into a
post-apocalyptic wasteland in a matter of seconds. The entire Dutch government is
killed in the attack and the State breaks down completely. The last survivors are left
without police or government authorities to enforce criminal law, leading to
widespread violence. Which of the following theories BEST describes this story?
A) Benedictus Spinoza’s theory of the state of nature.
B) John Rawls’ theory of the original position.
C) Thomas Hobbes’ theory of the state of nature.
D) John Rawls’ theory of the philosopher as legislator and judge.
4. What is social intuitionism?
A) A psychological theory formulated by John Rawls which states that people must
argue about politics from the standpoint of the original position to arrive at impartial
and fair judgments.
B) A psychological theory formulated by Jonathan Haidt which states that people
tend to invent rational arguments for the moral beliefs they already have rather
than derive their moral beliefs from rational arguments.
C) A psychological theory formulated by Jonathan Haidt which states that people first
reason impartially and rationally about political matters before they come to a
conclusion.
D) A psychological theory formulated by John Rawls which states that, in everyday
politics, people let their political reasoning be clouded by conflicts of interest.
5. Imagine the Dutch government would decide that, from now on, all Dutch citizens
must go to Church every Sunday morning. If they fail to comply, the police can give
them a fine of up to 150 euros. Would a Rawlsian believe this to be a just law?
A) The law would be just because, if everyone attends Church, the State can promote
the cultivation of communal solidarity and a shared sense of the good life.
