Intro to political philosophy Review

Glaucon

Glaucon is Plato's older brother and the main person that Plato discusses with in the Republic. He is significant because he challenges Plato to define justice and give a rational account of its goodness.

Ancient tragedians closely examined the problems of hubris for political leadership. Why is hubris a problem? In your answer, provide at least two examples from Sophocles' Antigone of how hubris impaired an actor's judgment.

Hubris is a problem for political leadership in Sophocles' Antigone because Creon's judgment is impaired and the decisions he makes lead to a very fatal outcome. Hubris can be seen as a problem because it results in irrational behavior. In Sophocles' Antigone hubris affected King Creon specifically by alienating himself from his people, his son, and Teiresias. When Creon begins making decisions without sound judgment he blinds himself and becomes unaware of his arrogant behavior. He defies the laws of gods by favoring the law of man, when he declares the law that anyone who tries to bury Polynices, the traitor, will be buried to death. When Haemon, his son, tells him that he has made a mistake and needs to rethink what he has done with Antigone, Creon becomes defensive and refuses to go back on his word because he is afraid of what his people will think of him as a ruler all because of his hubris. Secondly, although Creon did not kill his wife or son his arrogant pride did. Antigone, Eurydice, and Haemon all lost their lives because Creon wanted to be seen as a man of his word. At the end of the day, Creon's hubris lead to the death of his loved ones.

Hubris

Hubris means excessive pride/ arrogance and/ or defiance of the Gods. This term is significant because hubris is shown throughout many of Socrates readings. Specifically in Antigone, Creon exemplifies hubris as a leader and as a result Creon suffers greatly.

Aristotle thought that human beings were uniquely political animals. Explain what Aristotle means by a "political animal," and how he arrives at that conclusion.

When Aristotle describes human beings as "political animals" what he really means is that the city is created through nature and humans are inhabiting these areas. Aristotle believes that only humans have the power to express their ideas and rationality about justice through grammar and specifically language (logos.) because they have morality and the ability to do so. Humans are social creatures and we need a community to survive.

Cephalus

A wealthy elder who Socrates encounters in Plato's Republic I who believes the definition of justice is paying one's debts, being honest, and living up to and fulfilling all obligations. This term is significant because Cephalus introduced a new perspective of justice and what it entails.

Aristotle clearly thought constitutions were important. But how does he define constitution? Why should would-be legislators know the details of so many different kinds of constitution?

Aristotle defines constitution as "an organization of a city-state's various offices but, particularly, of the one that has authority of everything." The would-be legislators should know the different details of so many different kinds of constitutions in order to properly deliberate and compare them to create a constitutional ideally suited for the state of which they legislate.

What does Aristotle think a well ordered political society should aim for? How does it achieve this end?

Aristotle thinks a well ordered political society should aim for a large middle class. A large middle would moderate the class conflict that arises from a large lower class and smaller upper class. In order to grow the middle class, the constitution must incorporate a balancing of the two extreme- extreme wealth and extreme poverty. With a large middle class it would be easier to maintain a proportion of poor to rich which would promote overall fairness.

Arēte

Arēte is the idea of "moral virtue & excellence" in the Greek philosophy. It means "that which is good." This term is significant because Plato believes that although everyone aspires to be virtuous, it's very subjective and this means there is not a universal definition of what it means to be virtuous.

Briefly compare Plato and Aristotle's remarks on the qualities they each thought good political leaders ought to possess. How are they similar? How do they differ?

Both Aristotle and Plato argued that the "best men" should rule, and that leadership was for the betterment of the state. They also agreed on education as a necessary requirement for a leader. However, Plato believed that leaders could be trained on how to run a state. Plato believed in a more authoritarian state whereas Aristotle advocated for a less authoritarian and less collaborative approach.

Dikasterion

Dikasterion is a law court. This word literally means "place of justice." This term is significant because it is where Socrates gave his "apology speech" and was brought to trial for corrupting the youth and for actions of impiety.

Díkē

Díkē is the Greek word for justice. It is the main topic of Plato's Apology of Socrates in which he must go to the dikasterion or place of justice to defend himself on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth.

Eudaimonea

Eudaimonea is defined as things that make life good or give pure joy. This term reflects happiness and can be translated as "human flourishing." This word is significant because Aristotle defines it as a moral philosophy that values the well- being of individuals.

Xiao

In Confucianism, Xiao, or filial piety, is the attitude of obedience and devotion to ones ancestors that is at the crux of moral conduct and harmony. Simply put, it is to engage in good. Xiao was cultivated love that was the building block of hierarchical Chinese feudal society.

Creon

In Greek mythology, Creon is the King of Thebes who is married to Eurydice and is also Antigone's uncle. Creon plays a significant role in Antigone because once becoming king after Oedipus, he faces the dilemma of pleasing the gods and doing what is best for his people. He is important because he exemplifies qualities of a weak ruler and tyrant who is only concerned with what others will think of him if he messes up or goes back on his word. Because Creon is arrogant his internal dilemma causes his to make wrong decisions, he ends up paying the price for his mistakes.

Ismene

In Greek mythology, Ismene is the sister of Antigone. Also, she is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. She is significant in the play Antigone because she is the opposite of her sister, Antigone. Ismene does not stand up to the laws of the state or challenge Creon. Ismene is an example of the role women had during this era and shows that women did not often voice their opinions and kept shut.

Plato's Republic provides three different kinds of cities, each with their own virtues and potential problems. Yet the Republic is supposed to be about individual souls. Why does Socrates study justice in individual souls by examining different kinds of cities? What does this method suggest about the relationship between individual citizens and the cities they inhabit?

In Plato's Republic, Socrates studies justice in individual souls in order to employ an analogy of the soul and the city. Through the examination of a just and unjust city, Socrates can argue that a just city is always happier than a unjust city thus a just soul is always happier than an unjust soul. This method suggests that cities are the reflection of the individuals citizens that inhabit it.

During his trial, Socrates claims that he should be "punished" with free meals provided at the public expense. He justifies the reward for his service to the city. "The Olympian victor makes you think yourself happy," he declares, "I make you be it." What does Socrates mean here? In what way does Socrates actually make the Athenians happy?

In his defense, Socrates compares himself to a gadfly and the state of Athens to a large, lazy horse. He claims while he constant question might be irritating, he is ultimately making the Athenians happy by keeping them awake, aware, and expanding on both mental and physically fronts.

Virtu

Italian word for virtue or power. In The Prince, Machiavelli characterized this as a concept as the ability to act boldly in any manner. It holds significance because Machiavelli believed that virtue was the criterion for political success.

Kallipolis

Kallipolis is the name of Socrates' ideal city. In the utopian society of the Republic, this hypothetical city is ruled by a philosopher king. This term is significant because it is the definition of a perfect and just city according to Socrates.

Junzi

Mandarin philosophical word for gentleman. Junzi is a behavior that requires superior ethical and moral positions than xiaoren (the small man). Junzi is significant because it ties to Confucius' example of an ideal governor that is free of fault and corruption

Phronesis

Phronesis is an ancient Greek word for wisdom or intelligence, that when applied means 'practical wisdom' derived from learning and evidence of practical things (practical action). It is more similar to 'prudence' than standard intelligence. This is significant because in Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle distinguishes between phronesis and sophia (standard wisdom). Phronesis facilitates sophia and associates it with political ability.

Piety

Piety is showing reverence or devotion to that which is holy or God. Piety is significant because in Euthyphro, Euthyphro makes several attempts to define piety of which include what he was doing by prosecuting his father, what is pleasing to the gods, and what all gods love and all gods hate.

Piraeus

Piraeus is referred to as the athenian port (the center of democracy) in Plato's Republic I where Socrates goes to seek the definition of "justice." This term is significant because it is where Socrates went down to uncover the holistic definition of justice according to the people who lived in the "piraeus." Socrates was searching for a diverse perspective to his question.

Aristotle famously disagrees with Plato's conception of the ideal state. Why?

Plato's conception of the ideal states includes the idea that political rulers only need to have wisdom to become a good ruler. However, Aristotle disagrees with Plato and proposes that rulers must have prudence, which includes rational deliberation and syllogistic logic, since no one knowingly does what is wrong. Aristotle insists that ruler cannot act on what they simply believe that is right and good since what they believe is right and good is not actually logically the best decision.

Polis

Polis literally means city in Greek. This term is significant because the "polis" has the advantage of being small which means everyone knows one another and is dedicated to the same issues, such as warfare. The familiarity among citizens and the idea that everyone thinks alike further extends the concept of unity within Greek mythology.

Politeia

Politeia is the Greek word for "constitution" or "form of government." Aristotle uses this concept to describe the various forms of noble and corrupted constitutions and how to choose the most appropriate constitution for the various peoples.

Describe Aristotle's theory of prudence in your own words. How does prudence differ from cleverness?

Prudence is reason and ability for actions concerning human goods and individuality. Prudence relies on virtue and is a means to ethical virtue. Cleverness is different than prudence in that it is "unscrupulous," meaning it has no moral standard. Virtue and cleverness sum up to make prudence.

Sophocles' Antigone makes masterful use of the chorus. Who does Sophocles' chorus represent in the tragedy? What advice do they offer the named characters?

Sophocles' chorus is represents the public comprised of the elder group of Theban men. The chorus advises Creon to release Antigone and bury Polyneices. Initially the chorus scold Antigone for being headstrong, but then attempt to comfort her as she nears death.

Plato's Socrates was a frustrating figure whose philosophical practice strikes many today as uniquely political. Explain the "Socratic method" in your own words and provide an example of this practice from one of the texts we've read in the course. Finally, describe the goal of Socrates' discussions.

The "Socratic method" a discussion in which one person asks a question, then the other proposes an answer. The initial person asking the question further questions the other on their answer in order to spur deeper understanding and introduce new ideas. An example from the text comes from Plato's Euthyphro when Socrates implores Euthyphro to define piety then identifies flaw in each definition which forces Euthyphro to alter the previous definition. The goal of Socrates' discussion to uncover a deeper understanding of the idea or concept proposed.

Aristophanes' The Clouds

The Clouds a Greek comedy written by Aristophanes that mocks Socrates lofty ways of thinking and debating with those around him. Aristophanes was one of the first older and, to Socrates, more important accusers as he was mentioned by name in Plato's Apology.

Confucians drew sharp distinctions between the gentleman and the "petty man" or official. How were these figures different with respect to their motivations for political rule?

The junzi, or gentleman, is altruistic and has no personal motive for political rule. Obedient and knowledgable, the junzi sustains their leadership by expressing ethical values. The xioren, or petty man, has no consideration for virtue and seeks his own gain. Since the xioren is egoistic and uses his political power to indulge, the people he governs suffer. The junzi works towards the benefits of others.

Principle of Specialization

The principle of specialization is a term found in the Republic and is deemed necessary by Plato to define the structure of the city. Principle of specialization refers to the idea that each member in society must have a role that is suited best to him only and he cannot have another specialty. For example, a farmer can only farm and cannot intervene in the art of carpentering. This concept is significant because it divides society into classes and ensures that these classes stay in line and do not gain more power than the other. Everything and everyone is the same to ensure efficiency. lowkey kind of like communism with co-dependency

Who poses the greatest threat to Athens as far as Socrates is concerned? Why does he say that this group is so dangerous?

The sophists pose the greatest threat to Athens as far as Socrates is concerned. According to Socrates, the sophists are the most dangerous because they are foreigners.

Thrasymachus

Thrasymachus is an arrogant sophist that Socrates encounters in Plato's Republic I while searching for the definition of justice in the piraeus. According to Thrasymachus justice is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger. The stronger can be defined as those in power and just behavior only works in the favor of these people. This character is significant because not only is it another definition of justice for Socrates to contemplate, but also shows that the stronger succeed over the weak in certain circumstances.