Review Sheet for Exam 1

Question 1

Name a basic principle of Libertarianism.

Answer 1

• Each person is the owner of his life and sovereignty

Question 2

What is the reciprocity argument? (The Golden Rule)

Answer 2

A principle that suggests that individuals and groups treat others how they themselves wish to be treated

Question 3

What is a libertarian attitude towards government?

Answer 3

“The only proper role of the government is that of protector of the citizen against aggression by other individuals” (Hospers 317)

Question 4

What is the proper role of the government? (according to libertarianism)

Answer 4

Prevention, Punishment, and Adjudication.

Question 5

Explain the government’s role in prevention?

Answer 5

To prevent individuals from harming another individual(s)

Question 6

Explain the government’s role in punishment

Answer 6

To punish an individual who has hurt another individual.

Question 7

Explain the government’s role in adjudication

Answer 7

To enforce contracts and legal agreements as well as to adjudicate disputes

Question 8

What does adjudicate mean?

Answer 8

Make an official judgment in a formal legal context.

Question 9

Name an example of a government that aligns significantly with the libertarianism philosophy.

Answer 9

Switzerland: they have a federal system with a high degree of decentralization. Their cantons (states) have considerable autonomy, and decisions are made at the local level as much as possible.

Question 10

Name another basic principle of libertarianism.

Answer 10

Other people’s lives are not yours to dispose of.

Question 11

Name another basic principle of libertarianism.

Answer 11

People should be able to do anything except intrude on the sovereignty of other human beings and what they own

Question 12

Name another basic principle of libertarianism.

Answer 12

Every individual has the right to act by his own choices unless those actions infringe on the equal liberty of other human beings.

Question 13

What is the basis of consequentialism?

Answer 13

The right action has the best consequences given the available alternatives.

Question 14

What is the standard for deontology?

Answer 14

The ethical merit of an act is determined by whether or not it respects individuals affected by the act.

Question 15

Every person has autonomy (rights). Because of this what are they obligated to do?

Answer 15

Respect the autonomy of others

Question 16

What is a perfect duty?

Answer 16

A duty that has no degree.
Ex.) Either you lie or tell the truth

Question 17

What is an imperfect duty?

Answer 17

A duty that has a degree
Ex.) Helping a homeless man by giving him a dollar or buying him an apartment

Question 18

What was Ollman’s take on socialism?

Answer 18

Ideas do not drive history, but technology and class struggle does

Question 19

What does the term “surplus value” refer to?

Answer 19

In Marxist theory, capitalists exploit laborers by taking a greater portion of the profit while they do all the labor.

Question 20

What does Ollman say about alienation in the capitalistic workplace

Answer 20

There is a manifestation of alienation from labor and co-workers.

Question 21

Why is it argued that alienation can occur in the (capitalist) workplace

Answer 21

• The job loses creativity and workers become separated from their work.
• The competition against other co-workers causes workers to lose connection with each other.

Question 22

Who argues that socialism is the only fair system?

Answer 22

Nielsen

Question 23

Explain the slavery argument

Answer 23

Uncompensated labor = slavery (which is against autonomy)

Question 24

What is the principle of the invisible hand?

Answer 24

By individuals acting selfishly we benefit more from them than the government.

Question 25

What is the argument for why economic freedom is necessary for political freedom?

Answer 25

Economic freedom comes when the market operates without government control thus leading to political freedom. (Friedman)

Question 26

Liberalism v. libertarianism (referring to imperfect duties to others)

Answer 26

The government should require people to help other people out (Liberalism). Helping people is a good thing but the government would not be respecting autonomy if they made it a requirement (Libertarianism).

Question 27

Liberalism v. libertarianism (referring to imperfect duties to ourselves)

Answer 27

It’s up to each person to take care of themselves and decide what’s best for them, without too much government involvement (Libertarianism). The government should help make sure we have what we need to be happy and healthy (Liberalism)