Deck 7: Liberty and Its Limits

Question 1

In "On Liberty" Mill argues that society may compel individuals to do (or to not do) if society judges that it would be in the individuals best interest to do (or not do) it.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Mill argues that there are no limits on freedom of speech-that our right to free speech is absolute.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Mill argues that drugs such as cocaine and heroin should remain criminalized because people who use them prevent a direct harm to society.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Huemer argues that drugs such as cocaine and heroin should remain criminalized because people who use them prevent a direct harm to society.

Question 5

Huemer argues that controlling which substances people inject is not a proper function of government.

Question 6

Huemer argues that people have a right to use drugs.

Question 7

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) concedes that the war on drugs is unwinnable.

Question 8

The DEA claims that most drug crimes aren't committed by people trying to pay for drugs; they are committed by people on drugs.

Question 9

Di Muzio argues that it is immoral to produce, distribute or view horror films such as "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Question 10

Di Muzio argues that it is wrong to watch horror movie for the same reason that it is wrong to watch a Nazi cruelty movie or a child torture movie.

Question 11

In "On Liberty" Mill argues that __________ is the sole end for which mankind are warranted in interfering with the individual.

A) The greater good of society
B) To prevent the individual from inflicting harm on himself
C) Self-protection (of society)
D) All of the above

Question 12

Mill argues that all silencing of discussion is an assumption of __________.

A) Tyranny
B) Infallibility
C) Liberty
D) All of the above

Question 13

On what grounds does Mill argue that it is wrong to suppress freedom of opinion?

A) The opinion that is sought to be silenced may turn out to be true
B) Even if that opinion is false, it may contain elements of truth worthy of discussion.
C) If the prevailing opinion is not allowed to be earnestly contested, that prevailing opinion will be based not on reason but on prejudice.
D) All of the above

Question 14

What does Mill regard as the strong argument against public interference with individual liberty?

A) It is wrong anytime, anywhere for anyone to interfere with the liberty of another.
B) Let each by guided by his own conscience, in thought and deed, for each will have to answer for his own actions and inactions.
C) When the public interferes, the odds are that it interferes wrongly and in the wrong place.
D) The public need not interfere because the individual will always choose the course of action that he deems most worthy.

Question 15

Huemer discusses which of the following arguments for the legalization of drugs.

A) Drugs should be outlawed because they cause harm to users.
B) Drugs should be outlawed because they harm people other than the user.
C) Drugs should be legalized because drug prohibition violates rights.
D) All of the above

Question 16

Huemer cites James Q. Wilson who argues against the legalization of drugs on the grounds that __________.

A) Drug damage users' moral character
B) Drugs harm society by reducing the tax base
C) Drugs harm society because the overwhelming majority of violent crimes are committed by drug users
D) All of the above

Question 17

One argument commonly advanced for legalization is that alcohol is legal and yet alcohol is just as harmful as drugs. On what grounds does the DEA reject this argument?

A) Drugs are far more addictive than alcohol.
B) Alcohol abuse exacts a tremendous toll on society; legalization of drugs would compound this toll.
C) Approximately three out of every ten Americans will be injured in an alcohol-related traffic accident; legalization of drugs will increase the number of people who are injured in traffic crashes.
D) All of the above

Question 18

What reasons does the DEA cite for keeping drugs such as marijuana illegal?

A) Legalization of marijuana has lead to an increase in addiction to other more dangerous drugs such as heroin in other countries.
B) Legalization would not reduce the amount of crime because people do not commit violent crime when they are looking to pay for drugs; they commit violent crime when they are under the influence of drugs.
C) Legalization would result in a significant increase in drug use and addiction.
D) All of the above

Question 19

Proponents of legalization argue that the "War on Drugs" is a waste of money. How does the DEA respond to this charge?

A) The DEA notes that only five percent of Americans use drugs-that's proof that they are winning the war on drugs.
B) Strong drug enforcement policies increase risk and hence the cost of drugs. Higher cost lowers demand.
C) Drugs have more than simply monetary costs-the cost of drugs can be measured in lost lives.
D) All of the above

Question 20

On what grounds does Di Muzio argue that horror films harm viewers?

A) Such films interfere with a viewer's cultivation of compassionate attitudes that are an essential part of the moral life.
B) Such films are sexist in that they perpetuate myths about women as "victims".
C) Such films serve as poor role models, thus further degrading the institution of marriage and family.
D) Such films encourage and promote violence against women and children at the hands of a corrupt and male-dominated film industry.

Question 21

Can you think of doctrine or opinion that is so pernicious that it ought to be outlawed? What about pornography involving minors? What about hate speech and prejudice?

Question 22

State Mill's Principle of Liberty. Do you think there are any laws in todays society-e.g., laws requiring seatbelts and motorcycle helmets-that are violations of liberty? What do you think about laws requiring children to wear helmets while riding a bicycle? Discuss.

Question 23

Do you think the criminalization of marijuana is a violation of liberty? Or do you think there is a vested state interest in criminalizing marijuana-i.e., do potheads impose a direct harm to society? What about other, more hard core drugs such as crack and meth?

Question 24

Do you think it is really possible to distinguish between actions that cause harm only to ourselves and actions that cause harm to others? Surely, I cause myself harm if I permit myself to become morbidly obese; but do I not cause direct harm to others who are forced to subsidize my poor lifestyle choices?

Question 25

On Mill's view, do I have the right to bear more children than I can afford, thus forcing taxpayers to subsidize my poor reproductive decisions? If not, is the state warranted in interfering with my liberty to have yet anther child that I cannot afford? Can other's liberty to make poor lifestyle choices obligate me to pay for those choices? What would Mill say?

Question 26

Utilitarianism seems to require that we sacrifice the rights of individuals when necessary to achieve the greater good of society. Is it possible to reconcile this implication of Utilitarianism with Mill's views in "On Liberty"?

Question 27

Do you think an individual's drug use causes direct harm to others or society in general? Do you think an individual's "fast food use" causes direct harm to others or to society in general?

Question 28

Proponents of legalization have argued that legalization will reduce crime and violence. Do you agree or disagree with this claim?

Question 29

The DEA cites 10 "facts" about drugs. Are these really "facts" or do you think they amount to "scare tactics"? Which of the "facts" are genuine and which are open to challenge?

Question 30

Would the DEA agree or disagree with Mill's Principle of Liberty? Is the debate one about principle or about facts?

Question 31

If Di Muzio is right in her moral assessment of horror movies, do her conclusions also apply to other forms of violent entertainment such as violent video games?

Question 32

Some argue that horror movies contain aesthetically pleasant and artistically valuable content and therefore horror movies should not be censored. Can the same be argued for child pornography? Why or why not? What is the difference between horror films and child pornography?