Polictical Theory: Ancient

Question 1

Define “Prescriptive”

Answer 1

Political philosophers that suggest how everything should be ran and structured

Question 2

Define “Analytical”

Answer 2

Political philosophers looking to see why our political relations function the way they do.

Question 3

Basic points about political theory

Answer 3

• It’s not about declaring a winner in a political debate
• Its about building a cannon of knowledge
• Its about accepting that we need to change the way we think, according to the changing circumstances of our own political environment.

Question 4

Basic facts about Plato & Aristotle

Answer 4

• Their ideas created the basis for the next 2,000 years
• Asked questions like “How do we live the good life”
• Plato saw when Athens was under threat that politics wasn’t working properly
• Plato and Aristotle disagreed on “Direct Democracy”

Question 5

Define “Oligarchy”

Answer 5

• Rule of the few

- A county ruled by few ppl

Question 6

City States

Answer 6

Divisions (Athens was one city state)

Question 7

Define “Direct Democracy”

Answer 7

You represent yourself.
No political representatives
-Lots of people engaged in direct democracy in ancient Greece
-Direct democracy is one of the main reasons why Athens fell
-After Athens fell Plato suggested that Direct Democracy doesn’t work and that we needed to be represented

Question 8

What are some basic points of Plato’s philosophy?

Answer 8

• Questioned Direct Democracy
• Debated “What is right”
• Proposed social and political justice through a state organized according to individuals capabilities and personalities
• The government would be ran according to deep philosophical thought and contemplative reason

Question 9

What are some basic points of Aristotle’s theory?

Answer 9

• Was Plato’s student
• A philosopher of the possible
• Wanted to establish a link between ethics and politics, to seek “the good”
• The community came before the individual
• Individual can only prosper in a good community
• Politics is fundamental to ethics
• Hugh emphasis on whats good for society (now days people are like “what can society do for me”)
• Aristotle believed that slaves should do household work so people can participate in the political assembly
• Believed that women lack the rational capacity

Question 10

What is the main difference between Plato and Aristotle?

Answer 10

Plato: Abstract logic

Aristotle: Observation

Question 11

What are two different kinds of political theory philosopher types?

Answer 11

1. Prescriptive

2. Analytical