Chapter 1 Plato

Question 1

teleology

Answer 1

a doctrine stating that everything in the universe has a proper function to perform

Question 2

soul

Answer 2

a notion used by Plato to explain the main motives or impulses to action within any person;made up of appetite, spirit and reason

Question 3

appetite

Answer 3

satisfies our biological instinctive urges;desire

Question 4

spirit

Answer 4

the drive towards action;passion

Question 5

reason

Answer 5

our intellect; calculates, measures and decides; seeks knowledge and understanding

Question 6

functional explanation of morality

Answer 6

according to Plato, the morally good life is based on the proper inner workings of the soul

Question 7

moral balance

Answer 7

when faculty of reason governs both appetite and spirit

Question 8

moral virtue

Answer 8

fulfillment of our function as human beings

Question 9

appearance

Answer 9

apparent goods;what seems to be;perception

Question 10

reality

Answer 10

real goods;genuine

Question 11

Plato’s character types (5)

Answer 11

differently functioning souls; Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny

Question 12

class system

Answer 12

in a just society there would be three classes of people corresponding to three parts of the soul; serve different but complementary roles

Question 13

just society

Answer 13

a society in which different classes of people live and function harmoniously together under the enlightened guidance of the guardians of philosopher kings

Question 14

craftsmen, artisans and traders

Answer 14

part of class system in a just society; today - workers, consumers and business class

Question 15

auxiliaries

Answer 15

part of class system in a just society;subdivision of guardians; motivated mostly by their spirit

Question 16

aristocracy

Answer 16

the highest class in certain societies; according to Plato the just society would be a form of this

Question 17

philosopher kings

Answer 17

rulers of just society (aristocracy);belong to guardian class; morally virtuous individuals; temperate; courageous; wise

Question 18

guardian class

Answer 18

philosopher kings belong to this class; part of just society

Question 19

temperate

Answer 19

no physical appetites or material desires; philosopher trait

Question 20

courage

Answer 20

a passion that supports reason in its judgements and decisions to act; philosopher trait

Question 21

wise

Answer 21

knows what is best for each part of the soul

Question 22

functioning harmoniously

Answer 22

reason, emotion and physical nature work well together, with reason in charge; in the just character of the philosopher king

Question 23

just

Answer 23

balanced and functioning harmoniously

Question 24

realm of forms

Answer 24

can be known only by reason and according to Plato, are more real than the transitory things that we see, hear, taste, touch and feel; philosopher kings special knowledge

Question 25

false knowledge

Answer 25

imperfect

Question 26

timarchic character

Answer 26

driven by spirit; energy, competitiveness, and has urge to dominate; self-willed

Question 27

oligarchic character

Answer 27

driven by appetite; money-hungry; frugal, economic and hard-working

Question 28

democratic character

Answer 28

all desires and appetites are treated equally; aimless; lacks order and restraint

Question 29

tyrannical character

Answer 29

worst type; unhappy; possessed by a master passion; no shame

Question 30

master passion

Answer 30

passion that controls all other idle desires; runs wild, causing madness

Question 31

passion

Answer 31

drive toward action; includes ours self-assertive tendencies

Question 32

What are two basic moral questions raised by Plato?

Answer 32

What constitutes a good life? What sort of individual should one strive to become?

Question 33

What is meant by teleology?

Answer 33

A doctrine stating that the development of anything follows from the purpose for which it was designed. Something is good to the extent that is performs its function well.

Question 34

What is Plato’s vision of the soul?

Answer 34

Three parts: appetite, spirit, reason.
Appetite: physical wants and needs; spirit: drive toward action and self-assertion; reason: ruling faculty of the soul, it aims at knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Question 35

What is the difference between a healthy soul and an unhealthy soul?

Answer 35

Healthy soul is balanced with reason in control.

Unhealthy soul is imbalanced and disordered with appetite or spirit overcoming the rule of reason.

Question 36

What is ignorance and what are the results of ignorance?

Answer 36

Expressed by an imbalanced soul operating in disharmony. It leads to pursuit of apparent goods, not real ones. It give rise to evil and moral corruption. It is a confusion between appearance and reality.

Question 37

What is Plato’s just society like?

Answer 37

Based on class system - workers, auxiliaries and guardians.Functions harmoniously with guardians in charge. Workers are driven by appetite, auxiliaries are motivated by spirit, guardians ruled by reason.

Question 38

What are Plato’s character types and what are they like?

Answer 38

Philosopher king/ruler: governed by reason, guardian class, harmonious personality, virtuous, temperate, wise and just; knowledge of realm of forms.
Timarchic: spirit dominated, competitive, insecure, self-willed.
Oligarchic: driven by appetite, lacks moral convictions, money-hungry.
Democratic: treats all appetites and desires the same, aimless, lacks order and restraint.
Tyrannical: worst, unhappy, possessed by master passion, no shame.