Final Exam Material

Question 1

What were the main points of Tocqueville’s passage?

Answer 1

Equality vs. liberty - can have one w/o other, danger is love of equality over liberty leading to despotism
Individualism vs. egotism - individualism particularly democratic, turn in to self & own circle pull away from society, weaken bonds
Combat individualism - engaging in government & society
Despotism: idea of soft despotism, weaken ppl will by not allowing to exercise will,
Associations - required for everything b/c equality not power to act
Religion - responsible for American sucess

Question 1

What was the main point of Niebur’s work?
“Christ and Culture”

Answer 1

The relationship between Christ and Culture
1) Opposition (either or)
2) Agreement (Christ is highest culmination of culture)
3-5) note differences while trying to hold together in unity
3) Fulfillment (Christ comes from above Culture)
4) Dual authority (must obey both culture & Christ - live in tension)
5) Conversionist: Christ converts culture

Question 2

What was the main point of Well’s passage?

Answer 2

Protestantism vs postmodernism
Postmodernism - my truth, reject enlightenment rationalism, turn to emotion, reject God no authority for right/wrong distinction,
Worldview: nothing to stay one right or wrong, no differentiation, no value

Question 3

What is the thesis statement of Amusing Ourselves to Death?

Answer 3

Medium of communication drives the content of culture, with the change of TV what we know is not related to decisions, knowledge is for amusement, arguments are less important

Question 4

What was Postman’s argument of Orwell and Huxley?

Answer 4

Postman argues that what has happened is the dystopia of Huxley, not Orwell. Instead of an outside force retraining mankind, there is an internal laziness and childishness

Question 5

What was the point of Postman’s smoke signals?

Answer 5

This example illustrates that the form of communication limits what can be communicated through it

Question 6

What was Postman’s “news of the day”?

Answer 6

This is a figment of modern communication–it is something that did not exist before. It is instant news we are told we must know. It has changed our thinking by presenting us with knowledge we do not need to make decisions

Question 7

How do we study a culture according to Postman?

Answer 7

Must study how a culture communicates particularly what they say is significant.

Question 8

What is the significant of the second commandment according to Postman?

Answer 8

Images influence what we think about something. (God chose to be revealed through words)

Question 9

What does Postman say about TV and the clock?

Answer 9

These mediums affect how we understand reality.

Question 10

What is the media impact on epistemology?

Answer 10

Media effects how we come to know things and what we know.

Question 11

What does Postman say about seeing, saying, reading, or counting is believing?

Answer 11

Different forms of communication lead to different ultimate’s for belief.
Oral- saying, Typo-reading, TV-seeing, economics- counting. It must be in a certain form to be true and we are loosing even seeing today.

Question 12

What did typographic America look like according to Postman?

Answer 12

People read to gain knowledge. Americans read books, newspapers, pamphlets. This influenced how people formulated ideas and understood things.

Question 13

What is the typographic mind according to Postman?

Answer 13

It is the ability to speak complex arguments and orally understand them. It is very hard to not say anything. It came with seriousness and the ability to process information.

Question 14

Why did print culture not allow for leisure reading according to Postman?

Answer 14

It was a busy culture and reading was serious. So when they had time they were intentional about what they read.

Question 15

What does Postman mean by a peek-a-boo culture?

Answer 15

Things come and go fast, there is no time to stop and reason or consider. Knowledge is contained in itself, it is mere amusement not affecting anything else.

Question 16

How did telegraph and photograph remove context?

Answer 16

Telegraph offered immediate information that could be known without it affecting one’s life.
Photograph gave the illusion of giving context to telegraph but it did not actually add any information. Information does not influence decisions and can merely be known.

Question 17

What are the limits of a picture?

Answer 17

The picture can only show what is there, it cannot give opinions on what is there or show abstractions or ideas only objects.

Question 18

Was Postman a relativist?

Answer 18

No, he believed that truth is not relative, however, how societies discover truth is determined by their medium of communication. Some methods are better than others.

Question 19

What is TV and what kind of conversations does it permit?

Answer 19

It is a medium with a bias toward entertainment. It allows entertaining conversations that don’t take too long or require any hard thinking.

Question 20

What is TV dicussion?

Answer 20

It is people waiting to say their thing, no thinking, no arguments, no seriousness, the impression is what matters.

Question 21

What does Postman mean by “Now…This”?

Answer 21

This phrase is a palate cleanser between segments, there is no continuity leading to an argument. only fragmented images are presented. The likability of the presenter is of utmost importance. Music directs emotion, commercials through off discussion, This is disinformation.
Without context contradictions are hard to spot.

Question 22

How has TV influenced religion?

Answer 22

(not everything is televisable)
Creates no sacred space, numbers are more important than the gospel, offers what the viewers want not what they need, decreases complexity and increases humor

Question 23

How has TV influenced worship in the church?

Answer 23

Kills communal worship because it is a performance, about pleasing the audience, about me

Question 24

Which kinds of candidate thrive on TV?

Answer 24

Those who appear good and can make the viewers happy about themselves not those who have good arguments

Question 25

How has TV been dangerous for our form of government?

Answer 25

Increase image decrease argument
Frivolous method of choosing the leader of the free world

Question 26

How is education now entertainment?

Answer 26

Education must be engaging and amusing, no prerequisites, perplexity, or exposition
All ideas can be reduced to bullet points (false)

Question 27

How can we think “Christianly” about this?

Answer 27

-

Question 28

How does Postman’s argument hold up in our era?

Answer 28

TV is still everywhere and affects everything. In fact it takes less effort now then it did previously

Question 29

What is Ideology?

Answer 29

It is a set of beliefs about the proper order of society and how it can be achieved
-gives community & short cut for judgements

Question 30

What are the political ideologies of the USA?

Answer 30

Liberals: Equality: Hands on economy, hands off society
-Progressive are the liberal liberals
Conservatives: Liberty: Hands off economy, hands on society
Libertarians: Hands off everything

Question 31

What was the view of Woodrow Wilson as displayed in his “Constitutional Government of the United States?”

Answer 31

Progressive ideology (~1880-1925) post industrial revolution, need something new
- A limited government limits action too much and should be done away with
- Reject mechanical theory of checks and balances that do not give enough power to do anything
- Government is a living thing
- The President has evolved to escape the limitations of the constitution
- Now it is time to recognize the organic nature of government and release the beast
EQUALITY OVER LIBERTY

Question 32

What was the major points of Franklin D Roosevelt in “State of the Union Message to Congress” 1944

Answer 32

Past Great Depression, during WWII
Move forward for security - increase standard of living for all Americans
New Bill of Rights that are now necessary
-Security for job (guarantee, min wage), healthcare (required hc insurance), and retirement (social security) + (manipulate agriculture, market & trading)
-Negative liberties (natural): right to not be subjected to something
-Positive liberties: right to be forced to do something for someone else’s right (gov gives: neg & pos mutually exclusive)

Question 33

What were the major points of Winston S. Churchill’s “What Good’s a Constitution?” 1936

Answer 33

Criticism of New Deal
-growth of socialism is enemy of civilization
-State above citizen is agreed by all nations during war not peace
-When rulers create crisis or emergency –> ppl give up rights in time of peace (bye bye natural rights) (COVID, Global Warming)
-This has happened in the United States: expanding the government and its power limiting the people’s rights
-Judge of civilization: Speak freely under known laws criticize gov, sue state for rights, change laws
-Fixed constitution is the bulwark of rights not fetter
-Rigid constitution is the shield of the common man

Question 34

What are the major points of Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing”?

Answer 34

American prosperity: it won’t last due to tax burden, federal deficit, and national debt. These things lead to the loss of freedom.
Issue of this election: believe in capacity for self governance or surrender
-Not Left or Right but Up or Down
Government cannot control economy without controlling people
Zero sum game is not the conservative view: release the people to allow them to make more and raise the state of all people
Conservatives are criticized for not being for anything, not true. Want things to be done well
Stand for freedom domestic and international

Question 35

What were the main points of Russell Kirk’s “Ten Conservative Principles”?

Answer 35

He was a Burkean conservative that believed change must happen yet must happen a certain slow way
1) Enduring Moral Order
2) Custom, convention, continuity
3) Prescription (wisdom from past)
4) Prudence (long-run consequences)
5) Variety (only get if have inequalities)
6) Imperfectability (Utopia only lead to disaster)
7) Freedom and property linked
8) Voluntary community (local government)
9) Prudent restraints on power and passions (not trust benevolence)
10) Permanence and change must be reconciled (steady like an organism)

Question 36

What were the Libertarian ideology with Rothbard as a model?

Answer 36

Libertarians want government to be as small as possible
American founding is ok but it is better to not have government at all
Libertarians don’t offer a solution for less government!

Question 37

What were the major points of the Dred Scott Decision?

Answer 37

1. Is Scott a citizen, does he have legal standing
2. Can the Constitution limit slavery in the territories?
   Scott is not a citizen (A1 S9 C1: not outlaw trade till 1808, AIV S2 C3: fugitive slave clause) and Congress over stepped a bound (They are defined as property and Amend 5 cannot deprive of property) . African Americans can never be citizens

Question 38

What was Lincoln’s response to the Dred Scott Decision?

Answer 38

Lincoln did not like the decision and did not want it to become a precedent. Taney’s “facts” were not true–there were black citizens before the declaration, the situation of blacks are worse now than at the Declaration.
All men created equal mean s that not all British citizens.
Founders were aspirational not hypocritical
Those who are concerned about algammation there must be separation 1st freedom 2nd colonization

Question 39

What were the main points of the Gettysburg Address?

Answer 39

To make the soldier’s sacrifice worth it we must prove that the proposition that all men are created equal can work

Question 40

What was Douglass’ main points about Slavery and the fourth of July?

Answer 40

The Fourth of July highlights moral contradictions that are not the framer’s fault there is no mention of slavery because the framers hoped it would go away.
Blacks are men, slavery is wrong, this is a crime and must be delt with.

Question 41

What are the major points of Plessy v. Ferguson?

Answer 41

Separate but equal
Plaintiff was 1/8th black and did not want to sit in the black-only train carriage.
Question: Was Louisiana’s segregation act constitutional?
Not violate 13th or 14th–social inequality not the same as law in equality
Question: Was the act reasonable or aimed at public good?
-not intended to annoy or oppress
Plaintiff claimed meaningless distinction
Dissenting: violate 13th having badges of slavery, allows states to have ability to get around constitutional acts.

Question 42

What were the main points of Brown v. Board of Education?

Answer 42

Separate but equal has no place in schools
Appeals to modern psychology on the affect of separation on the black children
Citizenship require education so this must be provided equally to all citizens

Question 43

What were the main points of Heart of Atlanta Motel vs. US?

Answer 43

Motel owner claimed violated 5th and 13th amendment
Conclude not using elastic regulation of commerce clause (motel houses those engaging in interstate travel)
Concurring view wish use 14th Amendment to end future challenges. This is about racial justice

Question 44

What was the 13th, 14th, and 15th ammendments?

Answer 44

Abolish slavery, ensures federal citizenship to those born in the united states, and ensures equality under the law.

Question 45

What was the Civil Rights Act?

Answer 45

End segregation in governmental actors but not private businesses

Question 46

What are the major aspects of MLK Jr.’s letter from a Bermingham Jail?

Answer 46

Audience: White moderates in the church - think its untimely
Here: because invited, part of organization, there is injustice that will effect the other states. To engage in nonviolent demonstrations to lead to negotiation
Break laws: b/c time to act and they are unjust (2 types: just & unjust)
Unjust: human law not align w/ God’s moral law
Break laws for moral reason and suffer consequences (shows highest respect for law)
King uses scripture: compares his gospel of freedom with message of Prophets and Paul
King is disappointed with the white church–more devoted to order instead of justice. Time alone is not enough. Action must be taken
Scripture: unequal treatment denies image of God

Question 47

What are the four kinds of law according to Aquinas?

Answer 47

1) Eternal: blueprint of universe in God’s mind
2) Natural: rational creatures participation in eternal law
3) Human: determinations to achieve ends of natural law
4) Divine: special revelation about God and how to approach him

Question 48

What were the main points of Thomas Jefferson “Letter to the Danbury Baptists”?

Answer 48

“Wall of separation” not in constitution or amendments from Jefferson to protect religion from state
Supreme court uses it to protect state from church

Question 49

What were the main points of Lee v. Weisman?

Answer 49

Does the inclusion of clergy and prayers into official public school ceremony violate establishment clause?
Yes because government cannot force people to participate in religion and prayer during an encouraged attendance school event is coercion–psychological
(Dissenting): Prayer was always apart of American government, sitting silently is not actual coercion or forced participation

Question 50

What are the main points of John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty”

Answer 50

Surely we are beyond the time when we need to defend freedom of speech- the government does not get to control what the people know
Freedom of press is a check on the government
Not even if government and people are on the same page can they censor because this robs the human race- there is a benefit to the clash of ideas (assumption of infalability)
Can never be certain that opinion trying to stifle is false (we understand theoretically that we can make mistakes but we don’t act on it)
Cannot put faith in collective authority

Objection: then can never do anything (no absolute certainty), false, must act assuming opinion true else cannot be tested

Question 51

What is the main point of Frederick Douglass’ “A Plea for Free Speech in Boston”?

Answer 51

Why cannot we speak out against slavery.

Question 52

What is the main point of the sedition act (1789)

Answer 52

In the idea of England’s sedition- cannot rebel against lawful authority
S1: Guard against/outlaw - cannot in anyway criticize, impede actions of government
S2: Write/Print/utter opinions things of S1 also punishable under law
S3:

Afraid that words will bring about actions

Question 53

What is the main point of Texas v. Johnson?

Answer 53

Speech is changing to expression
Is burning the flag speech?
In the circumstances Johnson was being expressive
Breech of the peace argument does not hold
Court nullifies the state’s action to convict
Dissenting: Flag is special, represent nation and sacrifice of those who bring it about.
-no speech conveyed, only intended to infuriate

Question 54

What is the main points of Roe v. Wade?

Answer 54

Q. Should abortion be legal?
Individual (implied) right to privacy verses interest of state to protect citizens equally
Q. Do the states have a reasonable interest? Is there constitutional protection of privacy? Did the TX law invade privacy?
For Roe: By bill of rights woman has right to terminate, Court has not said fetus is a person (weak argument), it has no right to life. TX law intrusive should be overturned.
For Wade: Life at conception, life protected under constitution. TX law constitutional
Decision: Compromise - trimesters
1st: unrestricted right
2nd: state regulate to protect woman’s health
3rd: state right to protect life allow severe restriction
Dissenting: no right to privacy–not intension of framers (only unreasonable searches & seizures)
Should be left to states.

Question 55

What are the main points of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health?

Answer 55

Roe overturned leave abortion question to the states
Starts with history of abortion cases
Constitution does not contain right to abortion.

Question 56

What are the main points of Obergefell v. Hodges?

Answer 56

Q. Does 14th require state issue marriage license same-sex couples?
Q. Does 14th require state to recognize same-sex marriages license in other states?
14th allow express identity
marriage central to human condition, history says opposite-sex
-respondents: would disrespect marriage
-petitioners: respect it so much want to engage in it
history of marriage- continuity & change –> stronger
4 principles: legally cannot distinguish between same-sex and opposite-sex couples (right to choose, right to marry (2-person union), safety for children, keystone of social order)
Not recognizing burdens same-sex couples
Harmed individuals need not wait for legislative action to assert fundamental right.

Dissent: exercising will not Judgement