Philosophers and Thoughts on Law Handout Flashcards
What does Plato mean in his definition of justice?
justice is SUBJECTIVE, based on the BELIEFS of those IN POWER
do Plato’s beliefs still hold true today?
as GOVERNING BODIES CHANGE, so do the LAW. you vote parties into power with different beliefs (ex. roe v. wade)
why, according to Plato, was it better to act unjustly?
those who FOLLOW the law end up SACRIFICE their BELIEFS (“hurt themselves”), while those who DON’T stay TRUE TO their BELIEFS.
how do you define a “just man”?
someone who OBEY’S the LAW, does what is BEST for the GREATER GOOD
what are the 4 characteristics that support law (according to Aquinas)?
law is REASONABLE, law CONTRIBUTES to the COMMON GOOD, law must be MADE by a COMPETENT AUTHORITY, and law must be put into OPERATION by FORMAL PROCLAMATION (announced publicly)
what did Hobbes believe was the primary role that government should play?
the GOVERNMENT should have COMPLETE CONTROL over their citizens, to ensure they can PROTECT citizens lives
why did Hobbes believe that citizens should surrender their liberty?
the government can ENSURE that average CITIZENS are FOLLOWING the LAWS, since he thinks they are INCAPABLE of doing it ON THEIR OWN
how would you describe Hobbes’ outlook on life?
PESSIMISTIC and DYSTOPIAN, DOESN’T TRUST people to make decisions, wants the GOVERNMENT to be in CONTROL
are Hobbes arguments legally justifiable?
