Test 1 Flashcards
Describe Locke’s State of Nature
Everyone is equal and free to act WITHIN THE LAW OF NATURE
State Locke’s Law of Nature
All men are to preserve peace, protect mankind, and not hurt each other.
Contrast Hobbes’ rights in the natural state with Locke’s
Hobbes - no limits
Locke - limited by Natural Law
What problems are there in the State of Nature?
Infringement on the rights of others
Partiality in executing the law
What is the remedy for the threat of war in the Natural State?
Government/Social Contract
What is the purpose of the social contract and government according to Hobbes?
Protection from universal war
Increase our survival chances
What is the purpose of the social contract and government according to Locke?
To equally preserve life, freedom, property, and sovereignty of all.
After the formation of civil government, what was Hobbes’ greatest fear? What was Locke’s?
Hobbes - Return to the natural state
Locke - Tyranny
For Locke, which rights do people give up through the social contract?
Legislative and Executive
According to Locke, upon what conditions do we relinquish our (legislative and executive) rights?
Government has to have the goal of max and equal preservation of lives, liberties, and properties.
What is the definition of sovereignty?
Supreme power
For Locke, after the social contract and the establishment of civil government, who is sovereign?
The people
Define the term metaphysics
Study of the ultimate nature of reality and what is outside the realm of experience
What are forms or universals, according to Aristotle?
Types, properties, or relations that are IDENTICAL WHEREVER THEY ARE FOUND
Do universals vary according to the objects in which they are found?
No
How to intellectual universals such as goodness and justice exist in individual objects?
Through action
What is Aristotle’s metaphysical position?
Each object is composed of a universal and unique matter. Each object is ultimate reality.
What are the three conditions that must be met to determine the ultimate goal or motivation of people?
Self sufficient - even when alone, makes life desirable
Attainable
Final - desired for itself, not for anything beyond
What is the only thing that meets all three conditions of the ultimate goal/motivation of people?
Happiness
How is happiness obtained, according to Aristotle?
Through a life of reason
What is the Greek concept of virtue?
Excellence in performing one’s function
What is virtue for people?
Exercising reason
What are two kinds of human virtue?
Intellectual and moral
What is intellectual virtue? Why does it cause the highest human happiness?
Contemplating the true nature of the world.
It actualizes our capacity to reason.
Are moral virtues also obtained by reasoning? If so, is reasoning alone sufficient for moral virtue?
Yes, moral virtues require reasoning to find the golden mean. However, they require action to carry out.
What best ensures that we will take just or courageous actions?
Habituation
Are our desires or emotions in and of themselves either virtuous or wicked?
No, only our actions matter
Specifically, what is moral virtue, according to Aristotle?
Using reason to find the mean between excess and deficiency.
Is the golden mean the same for every person?
No, situations and circumstances are always changing.
From which two Greek words is the term philosophy composed? What do they mean?
Philos - to love
Sophos - wisdom
What is the Socratic Method?
Inquiring about the truth or nature of subjects by asking questions.
Describe the Forms (PEC)
Perfect, Eternal, Changeless (PEC)
The only reality
Describe the sensible objects of the world
Imperfect copies of the forms
How is it possible to comprehend the forms?
Through reasoning
What is the specific function of the form human being?
To reason
What is required for people to be virtuous and to be happy?
To reason
For Plato, what was specifically required to be Just or Courageous?
To know the form Justice or Courage
What is immorality, according to Plato?
To be guided by passions or appetite
Why are immoral people not happy?
They aren’t fulfilling their function; to reason.
What did Hobbes call voluntary actions?
Endeavors
What are the most important kinds of endeavors?
Desires and Aversions
Psychologically, for Hobbes, what is morally good and bad?
Whatever we desire is good, whatever we don’t want is bad.
What is the definition of egoism?
Self interest is the valid end of all action
Describe Hobbes’ State of Nature
Nasty, Brutish, and Short
What is the primary objective in Hobbes’ State of Nature?
Self-Preservation
In Hobbes’ State of Nature, our desires and aversions are directed toward what purpose?
Self-Preservation
Why does Hobbes use the term powers to describe the objects of our desire?
They give us the POWER to survive
According to Hobbes, what is the reasonable attitude one should take in the State of Nature?
Total selfishness
What rights do people have in the State of Nature, according to Hobbes?
To do ANYTHING necessary to survive
What does the term RIGHT mean, according to Hobbes?
Something to which one has a just claim
Describe Hobbes’ Social Contract
We give up all of our rights to a government, out of selfishness.
According to Hobbes, which rights do we give up upon entering the Social Contract?
All of them
After the social contract and government, what is morality according to Hobbes?
Whatever the law says
Which three ingenious ideas did Hobbes originate?
State of Nature
Social Contract
Natural Rights
Aristotle Extra Credit
If you can not or have not the ability to reason, you are not a human, and morality does not apply to you.
Hobbes Extra Credit
The law is morality
Locke Extra Credit
Morality is the protection of life, liberty, and property
