Unit 11: Plato and Aristotle: Objectives Flashcards
Q: Summarize the political divisions of Greece in the fourth century.
A: After the Peloponnesian War, Greece was divided between weakened city-states. Sparta briefly dominated before losing power to Thebes, while Athens recovered but never regained its former glory. Macedon, under Philip II, eventually unified Greece through conquest.
Q: Explain how Athenian courts worked.
A: Athenian courts were large, citizen-run juries with no judges or legal professionals. Litigants represented themselves, and verdicts were decided by majority vote. There was no appeals process, making persuasion essential.
Q: Explain why intellectuals were critical of democracy.
A: Intellectuals like Plato saw democracy as unstable, favoring rhetoric over wisdom and allowing unqualified citizens to make important decisions. They feared demagogues and mob rule, arguing for governance by the educated elite.
Q: Summarize the major ideas and achievements of Plato.
A: Plato founded the Academy and emphasized ideal forms, arguing that the material world is a shadow of a higher reality. His Republic outlines the philosopher-king as the best ruler and criticizes democracy. He also explored ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
Q: Identify and explain Plato’s similes describing the ideal state and the Form of Good.
A: In The Republic, Plato uses the Allegory of the Cave to show how education leads from ignorance to true knowledge. The Simile of the Sun compares the Form of Good to the sun, illuminating truth. The Divided Line metaphor explains levels of reality and knowledge.
Q: Summarize the major ideas and achievements of Aristotle.
A: Aristotle founded the Lyceum and focused on empirical observation. He classified knowledge into ethics, politics, metaphysics, and science. Unlike Plato, he saw reality in concrete things, not abstract forms. His Politics advocates a balanced government combining monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy.
