2026 LEGAL PHILOSOPHY EXAM
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QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Legal philosophy primarily concerns itself with:
A. The moral and social foundations of law
B. The enforcement of criminal statutes
C. The drafting of legal contracts
D. The practice of courtroom advocacy
Answer: A
2. The study of the nature and purpose of law is known as:
A. Jurisprudence
B. Ethics
C. Criminology
D. Sociology
Answer: A
3. The philosopher most associated with natural law theory
is:
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. Jeremy Bentham
,C. Thomas Aquinas
D. John Austin
Answer: C
4. According to legal positivism, the validity of law depends
on:
A. Its moral content
B. Its conformity to divine principles
C. Its source and authority
D. The fairness of its application
Answer: C
5. John Austin’s “command theory” defines law as:
A. Rules derived from moral consensus
B. Commands issued by a sovereign backed by sanctions
C. Agreements between free individuals
D. Natural rights inherent in human beings
Answer: B
6. The phrase “lex iniusta non est lex” (“an unjust law is not a
law”) is associated with:
A. Legal positivism
B. Marxism
,C. Natural law theory
D. Realism
Answer: C
7. H.L.A. Hart criticized Austin’s theory for failing to explain:
A. The moral basis of law
B. The rule of recognition and secondary rules
C. Judicial discretion
D. The need for law reform
Answer: B
8. In Hart’s theory, a “rule of recognition” refers to:
A. A rule used to punish offenders
B. A social rule identifying valid legal norms
C. The moral principles behind legislation
D. A constitutional amendment
Answer: B
9. Legal realism primarily focuses on:
A. Written laws and statutes
B. The actual behavior of judges and courts
C. Theoretical consistency in law
D. The divine origins of justice
, Answer: B
10. Natural law theorists argue that:
A. Law and morality are inseparable
B. Only legislatures can create valid laws
C. Judicial discretion should be minimized
D. Law is a tool for political control
Answer: A
11. Hans Kelsen’s “Pure Theory of Law” emphasizes:
A. The political nature of law
B. Law as a system of norms independent of morality
C. Law as divine revelation
D. Law as a product of custom
Answer: B
12. According to Kelsen, the fundamental norm or
“Grundnorm” is:
A. The constitution
B. The first principle that validates all other norms
C. The law of nature
D. A moral maxim
Answer: B
| COMPLETE QUESTION BANK WITH OVER 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Legal philosophy primarily concerns itself with:
A. The moral and social foundations of law
B. The enforcement of criminal statutes
C. The drafting of legal contracts
D. The practice of courtroom advocacy
Answer: A
2. The study of the nature and purpose of law is known as:
A. Jurisprudence
B. Ethics
C. Criminology
D. Sociology
Answer: A
3. The philosopher most associated with natural law theory
is:
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. Jeremy Bentham
,C. Thomas Aquinas
D. John Austin
Answer: C
4. According to legal positivism, the validity of law depends
on:
A. Its moral content
B. Its conformity to divine principles
C. Its source and authority
D. The fairness of its application
Answer: C
5. John Austin’s “command theory” defines law as:
A. Rules derived from moral consensus
B. Commands issued by a sovereign backed by sanctions
C. Agreements between free individuals
D. Natural rights inherent in human beings
Answer: B
6. The phrase “lex iniusta non est lex” (“an unjust law is not a
law”) is associated with:
A. Legal positivism
B. Marxism
,C. Natural law theory
D. Realism
Answer: C
7. H.L.A. Hart criticized Austin’s theory for failing to explain:
A. The moral basis of law
B. The rule of recognition and secondary rules
C. Judicial discretion
D. The need for law reform
Answer: B
8. In Hart’s theory, a “rule of recognition” refers to:
A. A rule used to punish offenders
B. A social rule identifying valid legal norms
C. The moral principles behind legislation
D. A constitutional amendment
Answer: B
9. Legal realism primarily focuses on:
A. Written laws and statutes
B. The actual behavior of judges and courts
C. Theoretical consistency in law
D. The divine origins of justice
, Answer: B
10. Natural law theorists argue that:
A. Law and morality are inseparable
B. Only legislatures can create valid laws
C. Judicial discretion should be minimized
D. Law is a tool for political control
Answer: A
11. Hans Kelsen’s “Pure Theory of Law” emphasizes:
A. The political nature of law
B. Law as a system of norms independent of morality
C. Law as divine revelation
D. Law as a product of custom
Answer: B
12. According to Kelsen, the fundamental norm or
“Grundnorm” is:
A. The constitution
B. The first principle that validates all other norms
C. The law of nature
D. A moral maxim
Answer: B
