Chapter 1 Plato Flashcards
teleology
a doctrine stating that everything in the universe has a proper function to perform
soul
a notion used by Plato to explain the main motives or impulses to action within any person;made up of appetite, spirit and reason
appetite
satisfies our biological instinctive urges;desire
spirit
the drive towards action;passion
reason
our intellect; calculates, measures and decides; seeks knowledge and understanding
functional explanation of morality
according to Plato, the morally good life is based on the proper inner workings of the soul
moral balance
when faculty of reason governs both appetite and spirit
moral virtue
fulfillment of our function as human beings
appearance
apparent goods;what seems to be;perception
reality
real goods;genuine
Plato’s character types (5)
differently functioning souls; Aristocracy, Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny
class system
in a just society there would be three classes of people corresponding to three parts of the soul; serve different but complementary roles
just society
a society in which different classes of people live and function harmoniously together under the enlightened guidance of the guardians of philosopher kings
craftsmen, artisans and traders
part of class system in a just society; today - workers, consumers and business class
auxiliaries
part of class system in a just society;subdivision of guardians; motivated mostly by their spirit
aristocracy
the highest class in certain societies; according to Plato the just society would be a form of this
philosopher kings
rulers of just society (aristocracy);belong to guardian class; morally virtuous individuals; temperate; courageous; wise
guardian class
philosopher kings belong to this class; part of just society
temperate
no physical appetites or material desires; philosopher trait
courage
a passion that supports reason in its judgements and decisions to act; philosopher trait
wise
knows what is best for each part of the soul
functioning harmoniously
reason, emotion and physical nature work well together, with reason in charge; in the just character of the philosopher king
just
balanced and functioning harmoniously
realm of forms
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
false knowledge
imperfect
timarchic character
driven by spirit; energy, competitiveness, and has urge to dominate; self-willed
oligarchic character
driven by appetite; money-hungry; frugal, economic and hard-working
democratic character
all desires and appetites are treated equally; aimless; lacks order and restraint
tyrannical character
worst type; unhappy; possessed by a master passion; no shame
master passion
passion that controls all other idle desires; runs wild, causing madness
passion
drive toward action; includes ours self-assertive tendencies
What are two basic moral questions raised by Plato?
What constitutes a good life? What sort of individual should one strive to become?
What is meant by teleology?
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.
What is Plato’s vision of the soul?
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.
What is the difference between a healthy soul and an unhealthy soul?
Healthy soul is balanced with reason in control.
Unhealthy soul is imbalanced and disordered with appetite or spirit overcoming the rule of reason.
What is ignorance and what are the results of ignorance?
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.
What is Plato’s just society like?
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.
What are Plato’s character types and what are they like?
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.
