Final Flashcards
With which of the following characters does Socrates spend most of the time conversing with the Crito?
The Laws of Athens
Complete the sentence: According to Socrates in the Apology, the unexamined life…
is not worth living.
Why does Socrates argue he owes his loyalty to Athens despite its unjust verdict against him?
The city has provided him with life and education and protection.
All of the following are attempts to define justice in Book I of the Republic EXCEPT:
Justice is obeying the examples of the Greek heroes in poetry and music.
According to the legend in Book II of the Republic, what is the power of the Ring of Gyges?
It renders the wearer invisible.
The legend of the Ring of Gyges is used to make which of the following arguments about justice?
People are just because they have to be, not because they want to be.
Once Thrasymachus leaves the party, which two “characters” do most of the questioning of Socrates?
Glaucon and Adeimantus
In order to properly train and educate the city’s guardians, which of the following must be done?
- Purge all frightening images of death from poetry
- Offer up only flattering and virtuous images of the gods
- Ban all music that encourages sadness or idleness
Which of the following is the “noble lie” Socrates describes as a necessary element of the Republic?
That all citizens are equal in origin, but only a small minority (those with gold or silver in their blood) are fit to rule.
In his trial, Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth and what else?
Impiety
Which of the following is NOT a Platonic virtue?
Chastity
Which social class is allowed to accumulate wealth in Plato’s Republic?
Citizens (Bronze or Brass)
According to Plato, which then existing cities were rules in a truly just and wise manner?
No cities have achieved truly wise and just rule.
In the Myth of the Cave, what happens to the individual who returns to the cave to tell his fellow cave dwellers the good news about sunlight and color and “real” objects?
This person is killed.
According to Plato, which of the form of rule is best?
Aristocracy
What viewpoint best summarizes Plato’s view of democracy?
It is one of the worst forms of government – only tyranny is worse.
By the end of Book IX, Socrates has more of less completely discredited the notion of justice given by which of the characters in Book I?
Thrasymachus
Which ancient poet does Socrates spend a particularly large amount of time denigrating in Book X?
Homer
When selecting a new life, which type of life does the Greek mythic hero Odysseus choose?
A peasant farmer
True of False: According to Plato, women should be allowed to exercise naked in public just like the men.
True
According to Aristotle’s Ethics, the highest good of human endeavor is what?
Happiness
In both works we read for class, Aristotle says that humans are which kind of “animal?”
Political animals
What is the best definition of virtue of Aristotle?
A state intermediate between two extremes usually involving a decision.
Though he is a multi-billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg walks around in t-shirts and jeans, files frivolous lawsuits against his neighbors, and generally lack charisma. We might say he is guilty of the vice of pusillanimity. What is the corresponding virtue Mark Zuckerberg ought to exude according to Aristotle?
Magnanimity
According to Aristotle, justice can be understood as either fairness or what else?
Lawfulness
Aristotle’s argument in favor of slavery rests on which of the following assumptions?
Slavery was part of the natural order of things/
All of the following are responsibilities of the wise household manager according to Aristotle EXCEPT:
Acquiring money to buy out other households
According to Aristotle, which of the following describes the virtuous (good) form of rule of the many?
Polity (constitutional)
Though democracy is often seen as rule by the “people,” Aristotle actually argues democracy should be understood as rule by which of the following?
The poor
When Aristotle says the a city should allow a man of truly great character and virtue rule them as a king (or send him to exile), which contemporary historical figure was he likely referring to?
Alexander the Great
What is the most likely reasoning for the founding of a city according to Polybius?
A flood
According to Polybius, when Kingship becomes corrupted, it devolves into which of the following?
Tyranny
According to Polybius, the best form of constitution is which of the following?
A “mixed” constitution
Assume that Donald Trump declares himself “king” in the next year. How might a Trump supporter justify this action using the political theory of Polybius?
Donald Trump is asserting control over the American government in order to curb the excesses of the masses who have become dependent on government handouts, like Obamacare.
In the Roman constitution, the “executive branch” was headed by whom?
The consuls
According to Scripio Africans in De Re Publica, which of the following is the best regime?
Rome
In approximately 500BC, discontent over what issue drove the plebeian masses to occupy the Sacred Mount and demand a place in the constitution of Rome?
Tyrannical goverment
In De Re Publica, which norm practiced by Rome toward other cities was not only a wise policy, but also indicated the existence of universal or natural law?
Not going to war with other city-states unless attacked first.
The view of slavery espoused in De Re Publica most closely resembles which previously read thinker?
Aristotle
For a “commonwealth” to survive and thrive, the people must see the infrastructure and function of government as which of the following?
Public property
Quoting the later Roman philosopher Marcus Varro, Augustine says there are four ends pursued by human beings. What is not one of them?
Wealth
Augustine is constantly making reference to two different cities. What are the names of these cities?
City of God (Heavenly City) and the City of Man (Earthly City)
According to Augustine, how does one again earthly Aristotle-style happiness?
Earthly happiness is not possible
According to Augustine, virtues are important for which of the following reasons?
They testify tot he usefulness of faith and the hope for an afterlife.
According to the passages in Book XIX of the City of God, what is Augustine’s view of the family?
It is a source of conflict, pain, and sorrow.
Augustine’s thought as expressed in the City of God can best be described as what?
Realist
In terms of one’s day-to-day life in prudent manner, how should one see oneself according to Augustine?
A religious pilgrim in a foreign city.
What statement best captures Augustine’s view on slavery?
Slavery is against God’s command, but will persist in the more evil earthly realm.
According to Augustine, what is the relationship between the City of God and members of foreign races and ethnicities?
All peoples are welcome in the City of God so long as they are faithful and follow God’s laws.
Imagine that Hendrix College recently announced it was cutting all scholarships for students in order to pay for a giant gold statue of the former president of the college. You are naturally outraged as it means your funding will be lost and feel the need to do something about this. How would Augustine encourage you to behave?
Endure the insult and humiliation as best you can and focus on the greatness of your reward in the afterlife.
All of the following are types of law according to Thomas Aquinas EXPECT:
Ecclesiastical Law
How do human beings discover the tenets of natural law according to Aquinas?
Reason
According to Aquinas, war is justifies when one’s city is attacked and in which other circumstance?
When authorized by the proper authority.
While Aquinas believes sedition is a sin because it harms the public good, there is one exception. What is it?
When a regime is ruled by a tyrant.
Which of the following is a reason Aquinas gives for protecting the institution of private property?
All of them:
- Clear lines of responsibility for property upkeep and maintenance
- Property is better preserved in private ownership
- Social stability as one does not fear one’s property will be arbitrarily taken
Generally speaking, the Protestant Reformation challenged what conventions of the Middle Ages?
The political authority of the Catholic Church
Following Augustine, Luther saw human life as what?
Full of sorrow and suffering
According to Martin Luther, an individual owed the primary loyalty to which of the following authority figures?
The prince, king, or other secular authority
Natural law according to Luther was learned through what?
A personal encounter with God as one struggles with one’s faith
Luther was very angered by popular revolts taking place during his time led by who?
Peasants
What does Dante mean by the idea of a temporal monarchy?
An earthly realm where “the people are the king”
According to Dante, what is the end of human existence?
To maximize the potential of human knowledge and creativity
One of the roles of government for Dante is…
To settle disputes among citizens
Why is monarchy the best form of government to protect human freedom according to Dante?
Monarchy allows you to live for yourself and not for others in having to serve corrupt rulers and institutions.
What sign did God send to humanity to show that monarchy is the best form of government?
The fact that Jesus was born at the time of Caesar Augustus, the first Emperor of the Roman Empire.
Which of the following types of principality is easiest to rule according to Machiavelli?
Hereditary Principality
What two elements of politics are necessary to be a successful ruler according to Machiavelli?
Fortune and Prowess
How should a new prince of a city use cruelty in his/her favor?
In abundance at first, but slowly easing up over time.
Which faction in a city myst a prince seek the support of at all cost?
The mass of people
Machiavelli argues mercenaries are among the worst rips to use to defend your city. But he den believe that there is a worse option. What is that option?
Auxiliaries (foreign troops)
While it is better to be feared than loved, it is BEST to be what?
Both feared and loved
Why should princes hunt and spend lots of time outdoors?
To learn the lay of the land and make it easier to defend the city if attacked
According to Machiavelli in the Prince, why is it a bad sign when a prince holes up in a fortress?
It means the people hate him and he must live under protection
According to Machiavelli, the quality of virtú is a combination of what elements?
Fortune and prowess
In the Prince, Machiavelli compared fortune to what?
An unruly woman
Which thinker of ancient Rome does Machiavelli copy in his discussion of the various forms of constitutional government in the Discourses?
Polybius
According to Machiavelli in the Discourses, why are cities founded in the first place?
Security for a community of people
What is the usual fate for a city that has devolved into anarchy and mob rule?
The city is conquer and destroyed by foreigners
The problem with Christianity according to Machiavelli in the Discourses is what?
It instills weakness and passivity
When cities appear to be devolving to corruption and disorder, what is the best way to restore some kind of civic virtue?
Return or restore the founding principles of the city
What is a description by Hobbes of life in the state of nature?
“Life that is solitary, nasty, brutish, and short”
According to Hobbes, human beings are always in motion towards which of the following emotions?
Felicity
In the state of nature, human beings have a right to what, according to Hobbes?
Everything
The Leviathan is created to deliver what to humanity?
Security
The authority of the sovereign for Hobbes is derived from what source?
The people
In what case would Hobbes approve of toppling the sovereign?
The people never have a right to topple the sovereign once they exit the state of nature
According to Hobbes, what is the best form of commonwealth?
Monarchy
What is the place of religion in Hobbes’ commonwealth?
Secular power has authority over all religious power
According to Hobbes, what might be the source of conflict between human beings?
Everything listed and countless more things
Imagine Hendrix is European kingdom and President Tsutsui is the sovereign. One day before graduation, President Tsutsui approaches you and says that you will not be graduating because he never really like you and doesn’t want to see you succeed. According to Hobbes, what should you do?
Nothing. Be grateful that President Tsutsui has saved you from a violent and premature death.
Imagine you have just heard news that Mormon radicals have taken over the state government of Utah. What would be Locke’s reaction to this?
He would condem it because it intertwines religion and the state
What description most accurately reflects Locke’s conception of the state of nature?
A place where nature provides basic necessities and all live in relative comfort.
According to Locke, natural law dictates which of the following be preserved?
Life, liberty, and property
The need to oversee what functions is the main reason why humans exit the state of nature and form a commonwealth?
Dealing out punishments and administering justice
According to Locke, how does one take ownership of property?
“Mix” one’s labor with the item or piece of land
According to Locke, the problem of scarcity and waste in a primitive economy is solved by the use of what?
Money
Locke’s notion of “conjugal society” refers to what?
Husband and wife relations
How is Locke’s sovereign the same as Hobbes’ sovereign?
They both derive their authority from the people
When do the people have a right to revolt according to Locke?
When the sovereign acts contrary to the good of the people
Why, according to Locke, could England claim sovereignty over the North American wilderness?
The indigenous people have not developed the land and so have forfeited their rights to the land
What name did Rousseau give to the content inhabitant of the state of nature?
Noble savage
What acts, according to Rousseau, brought about an end to the state of nature and the beginning of “civilized” society?
Erecting a fence around a piece of land
Rousseau’s Social Contract is an agreement between who?
The people and themselves
What is the name of the entity that constitute the state and creates the institutions that make laws for a particular society?
The General Will
According to Rousseau, slavery is wrong and illegitimate EXCEPT:
There are no exceptions… slavery is always wrong.
For big states with a lot of people, the best form of government according to Rousseau is what?
Monarchy
What is a good description of how Rousseau sees representative democracy?
He detests it with the fire of a thousand suns
The general will is determines though which of the following mechanisms?
The popular assembly
At the end of the Social Contract, Rousseau insists anyone committing what crime would be put to death?
Heresy
According to Rousseau, all popular assemblies should begin with the citizens answering what question?
Should the present form of government continue as constituted?
