WorksheetsThomas Hobbes and His Political Philosophy
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Who was Thomas Hobbes?
A 19th century American President
A 16th century French King
A 17th century English Philosopher
A 20th century German Scientist
What major event deeply influenced Hobbes's thinking?
The English Civil War
The Industrial Revolution
The French Revolution
The American Civil War
At what age did Hobbes die?
64
85
91
75
What is the title of the work for which Hobbes is chiefly remembered?
The Republic
The Social Contract
Leviathan
The Prince
What theory did Hobbes argue against in 'Leviathan'?
The heliocentric theory
The theory of relativity
The theory of evolution
The divine right of kings
What was Hobbes's view on the 'state of nature'?
It was chaotic and violent
It was a utopia
It was peaceful and harmonious
It was technologically advanced
What did Hobbes believe was necessary to avoid chaos?
Democracy
Total obedience to authority
Technological advancement
Anarchy
What was Hobbes's stance on the social contract theory?
He fully supported it
He was deeply scared of its consequences
He ignored it
He thought it was irrelevant
What did Hobbes believe about the divine right of kings?
It was the only way to rule
It was nonsense
It was a valid theory
It was a modern concept
What did Hobbes think about human nature without central authority?
Humans would descend into chaos
Humans would live in peace
Humans would become more intelligent
Humans would form natural hierarchies
What was Hobbes's famous description of life in the state of nature?
Happy, free, and equal
Peaceful, long, and prosperous
Nasty, brutish, and short
Lonely, poor, and isolated
What did Hobbes argue people had a duty to do?
Rebel against rulers
Obey authority
Live in isolation
Seek technological progress
What was the only right to protest according to Hobbes?
If the ruler imposed taxes
If the ruler threatened to kill them
If the ruler was foreign
If the ruler was unpopular
What did Hobbes think about rulers who did wicked deeds?
They should be forgiven
They should be exiled
People should still obey them
They should be overthrown
What did Hobbes believe was the fault of the people?
If they were too peaceful
If they were too educated
If they were too wealthy
If they could not rule themselves
What was Hobbes's view on revolutions?
They were necessary for progress
They often went horribly awry
They were always successful
They were a sign of strength
What did Hobbes write in the preface to 'Leviathan'?
He had written the book to encourage revolutions
He had written the book to support the monarchy
He had written the book to prevent chaos
He had written the book to promote democracy
What was Hobbes's personal belief about religion?
He was a practicing Muslim
He was privately an atheist
He was a devout Christian
He was a Buddhist
What did Hobbes think about the decline of religious observance?
It would strengthen the monarchy
It would make the divine right of kings less persuasive
It would make the divine right of kings more persuasive
It would have no impact on politics
What did Hobbes witness that influenced his views?
The signing of the Magna Carta
The beheading of King Charles I
The invention of the printing press
The discovery of America
What did Hobbes believe about the social contract?
It was unnecessary
It was a modern invention
It was a myth
It was willingly formed out of fear
What did Hobbes think about the role of government?
It should be non-existent
It should be minimal
It should be strong and authoritative
It should be democratic
What was Hobbes's view on taxes imposed by rulers?
They should be abolished
They should be increased
They were not a reason to rebel
They were a reason to rebel
What did Hobbes believe about the people's right to complain?
They should always complain
They had no rights to complain
They had few rights to complain
They had many rights to complain
What did Hobbes think about the consequences of the social contract theory?
It could encourage rebellion
It would strengthen the monarchy
It would lead to peace
It was irrelevant
What did Hobbes believe about the nature of humans?
They were naturally peaceful
They were naturally chaotic
They were naturally intelligent
They were naturally cooperative
What did Hobbes think about the English Civil War?
It was a peaceful resolution
It was a vicious and divisive conflict
It was a minor skirmish
It was a glorious revolution
What did Hobbes believe about the role of fear in forming governments?
Fear was irrelevant
Fear had no role
Fear led people to form governments
Fear was a sign of weakness
What did Hobbes think about the divine right of kings as religious observance declined?
It would remain unchanged
It would be irrelevant
It would become less persuasive
It would become more persuasive
What did Hobbes believe about the duty to obey authority?
It was optional
It was conditional
It was absolute
It was unnecessary
