Conceptualizing the Founding Flashcards
What di the Last Jedi and some Progressive critiques have in common?
Demystification- expose the past in order to reject it, allowing for something new to be created.
What is the Imperfection Problem raised by some Progressive?
The founders had the right ideals. However, they often struggled, if not failed, to achieve those ideals.
What were the cheif critiques the Progressives leveled against the Founders?
- Economic Argument: the Constitution was a document crafted to privilege and protect the rich 2. Democratic argument: the Constitution betrayed the ideal of democracy 3. 1619 Project: the Founders never believed in the ideals of the Declaration.
How did the Democratic Critique of the Progressives interpret the Declaration of Independence?
It established that democracy was the ultimate standard.
According to the original version of the 1619 Project, why is 1776 rejected as America’s birthday?
The Founders fought the Revolution to preserve slavery, not to eradicate it.
Which perspective created a strong continuity between the ancients and the moderns?
Classical Republican
Which approach saw a connection between property and virtue?
Classical Republican
Which approach valorized the farmer?
Classical Republican
Which Founding Father represented the Classical Republican approach?
Thomas Jefferson
According to the Classical Republican Perspective, what symbol was used to create a connection between the ancients and Americans?
The Great Seal. The Latin mottos connect the founding of America to the founding of Rome.
According to the Classical Republican thesis, how di we pursue happiness?
Virtue- seeking to become an excellent human being.
Which perspective created a soft continuity between the ancients and the moderns?
Liberal Republican
Which approach saw a connection between property and ambition?
Liberal Republican
According to the Liberal Republicanism, how do we pursue happiness?
Interest- seeking to pursue and acquire what will make us happy.
According to the Liberal Republican Perspective, what happened to ancient values in modern times?
They were changed or altered to fit a commercial people who could not be trusted to aim high.
Which Founding Father represented the Liberal Republican approach?
Alexander Hamilton
Which perspective created a harsh distinction between the ancients and the moderns?
Unmasking Liberalism
What were the chief critiques that the Unmasking Liberalism project leveled against the Founders?
- The Liberty Problem: the founders set up a republic of license that leads to drift and alienation. 2. The Social Contract Problem: The founders grounded man’s nature as being alone and thus people are alone.
According to the Unmasking Liberal Perspective, what is the classical understanding of freedom?
One had to learn to ne free. It is about mastery over the soul. A liberal arts education teaches people to live a life of virtue.
Which does liberalism mean?
To be generous regrading rights and create conditions that allow people to be free.
How are the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God to be discovered?
Reason
According to West, how should “man” be interpreted in the Declaration of Independence?
The word should be defined as encompassing both men and women. During this time period, Congress and the States were using words such as humanity, mankind, and inhabitants in interchangeable ways.
What does equality mean in the Declaration of Independence?
Individuals are not naturally subordinated to one another. No one has the right to rule over another person.
What does happiness mean in the Declaration of Independence?
It is unclear, but there are various interpretations. First, it is just unknown. Second, happiness was meant to ne understood as being subjective. This means that many paths exists that lead to happiness. Third, happiness was meant to be understood as being objective. This means living a life of virtue is the way to find happiness.
