Midterm Flashcards
1) Political science is a historically grounded discipline; explain
Political science deals with real problems. It is a concrete discipline. It deals with things now using what we have learned in the past and habitual experience to solve problems
3) Identify: the aim of every action and choice (Ethics I.1)
The purpose of an action or choice is to make a product the better than the activity in some aspect. I.E the “practice of medicine is health.”
4) Identify: the final and self-sufficient aim of all action taken together (I.7)
Is to find some kind of happiness.. “Happiness then is something final and self sufficient and is the end of action.”
5) Identify: Characteristics functions of man that leads to find end.
Something with a god that needs to be obtained
something where the reward is greater than the action
happiness is a trait of the final end
contentment in ones self
most pleasant is winning what we love
finding harmony in ones self and the people around you
Final End is happiness
Moral virtue leads to happiness.
6) Explain how moral virtue is acquired?
Moral virtue as Aristotle explains is not something you are born with, rather something developed. Moral virtue is a habit learned over time based on rewards. Good moral virtue is created when bad moral virtue is destroyed. I.E all The bad construction workers and their ideas are replaced with the good ones. All the bad virtue is replaced (for the most part) by the good virtue because it might be more widely accepted or influenced in society.
Acting correctly by habit. acting with full knowledge.
What is a Vice?
A bad virtue / a wicked behavior
What is a virtue?
A good virtue or behavior / exemplifying behavior showing high moral standards
7) Explain measurement of action using excess and defect
For every occasion there is an action that will take place. The bases of said action and how it is measured is based on how much or how little said person interacts. i.e someone makes a lot of money and excess vice would be spending all that money at once. a defective vice would be to keep all that money to ones self.
8) Identify specific examples of excess defect and virtue.
Impending fear and danger: The vice of excess would be rashness (foolhardiness over confidence) The Vice of defect would be cowardice
2) Identify two fundamental questions that constitute the study of politics
1) What is the common good
2) How do you achieve the good
9) Explain measurement of action using pleasure and pain
Virtuous action gives more pleasure then pain wicked action gives less pleasure then pain
18) Identify significance: Constitutional convection of 1787, especially as a contract among the states.
States giving up their mights to become a united federation. They needed protection but did not want a tyrannical government. The USA is very diverse they needing something that would work with everyone and be far to all states.
23) Define Political “CD”
reducing population down to a societies common level. This is important in government because in order to find a common good you need to know what is commonly accepted among its peoople. what is morally right. It’s harder to control a thousand different laws and regulations than it is to control a select few
CD: Common Denominator (extreme stereotyping)
27) Explain the relationship between political CD (fact or fiction) and the conduct of modern presidential campaigns
Politicians going around the nation claiming he will change thins in general. Making broad promises. A politician wants to be just like you. Its all Marketing. Finding a common denominator people can get behind.
24) Explain Burham’s view that political CD is a “myth”
People need to believe that they are indeed different. Its unnatural to be a homogenous society. People should not lose individuality. It’s bound to fail this a myth this is what makes it fiction.
