Isonomia and The Origins of Philosophy Pgs 11-34 Flashcards
What does “isonomia” mean, and how is it different from democracy?
Isonomia means “no-rule” and thrived in Ionian city-states, contrasting with Athenian democracy, which was based on majority rule and class struggle.
According to Hannah Arendt, what was the intended structure of the polis in ancient Greece?
The polis was supposed to be an isonomy, not a democracy.
How did the unique characteristics of Ionian society contribute to the concept of isonomia?
Ionian cities, founded by colonists who severed ties with mainland traditions, fostered a culture valuing labor, trade, and individual autonomy, emphasizing a social contract over kinship.
What led to the rise and eventual fall of isonomia in Ionian city-states?
Isonomia thrived with abundant land allowing free movement, but external pressures (like Lydia and Persia) and internal divisions led to its decline.
What proposal did Thales make, and what does it signify about isonomia?
Thales proposed establishing a single seat of government; his failure highlights the fragility of isonomia before misfortunes began.
How did Athenian democracy overshadow the concept of isonomia?
Athenian democracy, emerging from class conflict and militarism, focused on land ownership and slave labor, erasing the legacy of Ionian “no-rule.”
What did Nietzsche feel was lost in post-Socratic Athens according to Karatani?
Nietzsche felt that what was lost was not the legacy of Ionia but the Athenian tradition of warrior-farmer communities.
Name some key innovations that originated in Ionia.
The alphabet, coinage, and the principles of the polis.
Why was colonization significant for the emergence of isonomia?
Ionian cities were founded by migrants free from mainland traditions, creating an environment conducive to isonomia.
What role did mobility play in maintaining isonomia?
Freedom of movement allowed dissatisfied individuals to relocate, preventing the entrenchment of power structures.
What has been largely forgotten about the Ionian legacy?
The emphasis on individual autonomy, freedom, and equality that characterized Ionia has been obscured.
What insights can be gained from understanding isonomia?
It offers valuable perspectives on alternative political models that prioritize individual freedom and genuine equality, challenging conventional narratives about democracy.
What does the term “isonomia” mean, and what are its key characteristics?
Isonomia means “equality before the law” or “no-rule.” It describes a form of social and political organization marked by individual freedom, economic equality, and a lack of centralized authority.
Define “polis” in the context of ancient Greece.
A polis is a Greek city-state characterized by its independence, citizen participation in governance, and a shared sense of identity.
What is a “Covenant Community” (Schwurgemeinschaft)?
A Covenant Community is a group bound by a shared oath or agreement, emphasizing voluntary association and mutual obligation.
Explain “Mode D” as described by Karatani.
Mode D is a term for an exchange system based on freedom and equality, characterized by individual mobility and a rejection of exploitative labor systems, exemplified by “isonomia.”
What is a “township,” and what are its key features?
A township is a form of local self-government common in colonial America, emphasizing direct democracy, community participation, and economic equality through land distribution.
Describe the “Asiatic Despotic State” as defined by Karl Marx.
An Asiatic Despotic State is characterized by centralized bureaucracy, a powerful ruler, and a lack of citizen participation in governance.
What was the Delian League?
The Delian League was an alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens in the 5th century BCE, formed to combat the Persian Empire.
What is the significance of the Panionium?
The Panionium served as a religious sanctuary and meeting place for the Ionian cities, symbolizing their shared identity and common interests.
What is the Althing?
The Althing is the national parliament of Iceland, established in the 10th century CE, and is considered one of the oldest surviving parliamentary institutions in the world.
How did Plato and Aristotle view Ionian philosophy?
They presented it as a precursor to “true” Athenian philosophy, focusing on natural philosophy while downplaying its social and political aspects, obscuring its emphasis on isonomia and social equality.
What distinguishes Ionian poleis from Asian despotic states?
Ionian poleis lacked centralized bureaucracy, standing armies, and state-controlled economies, instead promoting free markets, citizen governance, and absence of social hierarchy based on kinship.
How does Arendt differentiate between “isonomia” and “democracy”?
Arendt defines isonomia as a state of “no-rule” where equality and freedom are intertwined, while democracy involves majority rule, which can suppress minority voices.
What impact did the money economy have on mainland Greece?
The introduction of a money economy and existing land-based social hierarchies led to debt servitude and a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor.
Why did Athens grant political rights to lower classes?
The need for a strong citizen army, especially hoplites, drove Athens to grant political rights in exchange for military service, contributing to the development of Athenian democracy.
How do the Icelandic Commonwealth and American townships illustrate isonomia?
Both exemplified isonomia through individual freedom, self-governance, and economic equality, highlighting the importance of geographical mobility and community.
What role did colonization play in the emergence of isonomia?
Colonization in Ionia led to new communities free from traditional clan structures, fostering individual autonomy and reliance on social contracts that allowed isonomia to flourish.
What potential does Karatani see in “mode D”?
Karatani proposes “mode D” as a means of transcending the limitations of contemporary liberal democracies through a framework of freedom and equality.
What parallel does Karatani draw between Heidegger and Athenian philosophy?
He suggests that just as Heidegger argued that post-Socratic philosophy neglected the true meaning of “being,” the Athenian erasure of isonomia represents a forgetting of a fundamental mode of social and political existence.
