PSCI 3310 final
The Thinkery
A comic representation of a school. The Thinkery is comical in a way that the students do research on subjects that have no concern with the practical world.
Good citizen vs. Good man
A good citizen honors and supports a state's constitution. A good man upholds a perfect virtue, regardless of the state he lives in. Although a man could be a good citizen it is possible to do so without being a good man.
Desire to Acquire (Machiavelli)
A human nature according to Machiavelli. "All men want glory and wealth." Difference in human morality in respects to ideas brought up by Socrates and Aristotle. The want of man is to gain glory therefore using acquisition.
Polity
A mixture of oligarchy and democracy. Attempts to find a compromise between the demands of both the rich and the poor. "Should be made up only of those possessing heavy arms."
Euthyphro
A study that attempts to define what is just and unjust (pious & impious). Although it ends inconclusively, the main purpose of the story is to be taught that answers have to be justified to be considered as knowledge.
Strepsiades
A weak, corrupt, and immoral man. Instead of finding an honest way to get rid of his debts, he decides to cheat his way out and have his son, Pheidipiddes, learn to convince the creditors let Strep. off the hook, revealing the lack of innocence he has. Strep. then ends up talking his way out of paying debts himself, just before Pheid. beats him up and justifies the violence, using wordplay to defeat Strep.
Thrasymachus
An arrogant rhetorician who believes justice is the advantage of the stronger. After he admits defeat that what he meant by justice is more might more so than right, he meanly congratulates Socrates jealously, sort of revealing he is competitive.
City in Speech
An imaginary city that Socrates, Glaucon, Adeimantus, Polymarchus, Thrasymachus, and others take part in creating. The goal in constructing this city is to improve things that were done badly in cities back then to produce a just city.
Democracy (Aristotle)
Aristotle believes a democracy is for the interest of the ruler(s), with a government governed by the many. Democracy pushes for equality but understands oppression (like heavy taxation) may occur.
Justice (Aristotle)
Aristotle says justice comprises of what is lawful and fair to its citizens...
Prudence (Machiavelli)
Being wise, knowing things ahead of time and being able to make the best decisions in all situations. Prudence is an essential quality for a prince to be successful.
Peace (Augustine)
Believes every city aims to reach peace. Peace is the main goal in...
Middle Class (Aristotle)
Believes that a life of virtue consists of finding the mean between two extremes, rich and poor. without a middle class, the rich will feel contempt for the poor and the poor will feel envy for the rich.
"Qualities" (Machiavelli)
Broadly speaking, this discussion is guided by Machiavelli's underlying view that lofty ideals translate into bad government. This premise is especially true with respect to personal virtue. Certain virtues may be admired for their own sake, but for a prince to act in accordance with virtue is often detrimental to the state. Similarly, certain vices may be frowned upon, but vicious actions are sometimes indispensable to the good of the state. Machiavelli combines this line of reasoning with another: the theme that obtaining the goodwill of the populace is the best way to maintain power.
The Clouds
Claimed by Socrates to be the real Gods (unlike Zeus) who make comments about good or bad decisions a character makes. They have strong opinions, but like many Gods throughout history, they can be tricky.
Fortune (Machiavelli)
Contrasting virtue, viewed as luck or favor of the powerful. Often through heredity and bloodlines, or just through shear luck
Image of Ship of State
Demonstrates the real world of politics. The pilots can be seen as citizens in a society, with the crewmen on the ship representing politicians, trying to state take control of the ship. The stargazer, knowledgable about seasons, stars, and winds, is the philosopher.
Cesare Borgia (Machiavelli)
Duke of Valentino, known as a puppet for Pope Alexander VI. Was held to be cruel, but his cruelty restored Romagna and united it. Came to Romagna with auxiliary arms. Gained power through fortune of his father.
Liberality (Machiavelli)
First, it is important to establish that "liberality" for Machiavelli means willingness to spend lavishly, not any political ideology in the way the term is used today. With that in mind, Machiavelli observes that it is good for a prince to be regarded as liberal in nature, but that this raises a problem. If the prince spends the type of money necessary to portray himself as liberal, then he will necessarily have to raise taxes to support such displays of opulence. This will anger his people, and lead to unrest. Thus it is far better to be seen as miserly by one's subjects, because being miserly enables the prince to accumulate the wealth needed to actually administer the state effectively.
Glaucon and Adeimantus
Glaucon believes humans are naturally unjust, seeking one's own pleasure. Adeimantus believes justice only exists to give those who commit just acts an amount of prestige due to the just act. (There are no heroes, only heroic acts)
City (Aristotle)
Greek word for city is polis, which in English means politics or policy. Aristotle believes a city should aim for the most authoritative good of all. He states that laws can decide where humans can't.
Fear and Love (Machiavelli)
If dispute arises, it is best to be feared than loved, because when they are close to you, they revolt. A prince should make himself feared, being being feared and not being hated can go together very well.
Guardians
Individuals in a fictional city whose special craft is governing its city. The are like angels in the fact that their duty is to protect its citizens in a city and hold high virtue.
Definiton of Justice (Book IV of the Republic)
Justice is doing one's business. The producers make and sell items, guardians rule a society, warriors defend a city or country.
City of God
Lives by the spirit. The city of God is that a society of people are called to embody a foretaste of the social and cultured life that God desires for this world.
Virtue/Virtu' (Machiavelli)
Machiavelli's vision on the ability to be a leader and characteristics necessary to maintain and achieve greatness. Opposite of fortune
One's Own Arms (Machiavelli)
One's own prowess and abilities rather than using someone else's path to leadership. Using one's own given abilities.
Earthly City
Originates with sin that lives by the standard of flesh. the earthly city is systematic and disordered configuration of human life.
Division of the Soul (Plato)
Plato believes every individuals soul is divided into 3 different parts, logical, spirited, and appetitive. The logical part helps an individual make moral decisions, while the spirited part induces individuals strong emotions. Lastly, the appetitive part induces an individuals desire for things such as food, power, and sex.
Virutes (Plato)
Plato believes there are four cardinal virtues that reflect the nature of the soul, justice, courage temperance, and wisdom.
Moses (Machiavelli)
Praised by Machiavelli for freeing the Jews from Egypt with his own arms and with his own virtue. Has high regards for Moses and his abilities to be virtuous though he had a teacher (God).
Philosopher-King
Socrates argues that rulers should be philosophers who possess wisdom and intelligence. In this case, political rule in a city depends on knowledge and not power.
Socrates' "Knowledge" (Apology)
Socrates believes that sometimes ignorance is better than knowledge. He argues that authoritative knowledge that correctly advises people use other goods and skills in their possession is valuable knowledge.
Image of Low Wall
Socrates states philosophers prefer to stand under a low wall to keep an eye on the politics going on in a city, but not become part of it. Politicians seek power over wisdom which is why Socrates could not join in.
Gymnastics and Music (Plato)
Socrates states that music is important because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. Socrates then states that taking care of the body with gymnastics, already trained in music, will benefit the body. He argues that those who are ill-educated create new problems and balancing music and gymnastics will help mitigate problems.
Three Waves (Book V)
The first wave states that women should receive the same education as men in order to have a whole city be educated, as opposed to just half. The second wave states that women and children should be held in common so that there is no privatization of families, making every citizen a family member to each other. The third wave states that philosophers should rule as kings, to ensure the ideal city is as just as it can be.
Oligarchy (Aristotle)
The rule of the few. A government controlled by a minority consisting of the wealthy. Ruling faction governs solely in its own interests, disregarding the poor.
Two Humors (Machiavelli)
Two different humors in every city in regards to the people. One is that people to desire not to be ordered and commanded by nobles or the greats. The other is the desire of the nobles and greats to oppress and order the people.
Study of War (Machiavelli)
Use war to acquire and conquer other territories or cities. Studying war brings knowledge of potential attacks which leads to better defense of the prince's city. Conquering and acquiring can bring a foundation to build new laws and modes. No mercenaries or auxiliary troops.
Severus (Machiavelli)
Was close to his army, also conquered Pescennius Niger and put him to death which brought peace int he East. Machiavelli compares his characteristics to the lion and the fox. Lion, as very fierce. Fox, as very astute and cunning.
Civic Principality (Machiavelli)
When a prince comes to power through the favor of his fellow citizens rather than by violence or wickedness. Rises to power by love from the people.