Political Philosophy Final Exam Review

ETHOS

-"the way you hold yourself" -character, habit

Monarchy

-A government in which power is in the hands of a single person; the position is inherited. -"for the sake of the common good"

Oligarchy

-A government ruled by a few powerful/ wealthy people -"for the sake of the ruler"

Notes about St. Augustine

-Defends Christianity against political ideologies/philosophy -Distinguishes the City of God from the earthly city of Rome; City of God vs. City of Man -Speaks to the vitality of justice.

How does Socrates' reformation to the education of the guardians treat Greek epic and tragedy?

-God is good and responsible for the good things not the wicked. -God is unchanging. God is altogether simple and true in deed and search. God does not deceive others by illusions, speeches, or the sending of signs either in walking or dreaming. Expulsion of Homer -Less excessive focus on death -Heroes don't cry, are strong, don't laugh

Democracy

-Government by the people; everyone is in charge of everyone. -"for the sake of the ruler"

Aristocracy

-Group of the most wealthy and privileged; few rulers -"for the sake of the common good"

How does "happiness" relate to what Aristotle calls the "work" (ERGON) of the human being?

-Happiness is the end goal of the work. -The works are actually better than the activity. -The work/deed of the human being is to be happy. -If a human being has virtue, then the results of his/her work/actions will be happiness. -Mean is virtue, the end is happiness, the process is work.

Why does Socrates start to talk about the situation of women in the city?

-He starts talking about women because Glaucon points out that he casually mentioned women and children being shared property. -It's book five where he starts talking about women as one of the three waves.

Why is it better to be feared than loved, per Machiavelli?

-Humans will support someone they love most of the time, but that love is limited as a motivation: other loves, and dangers, can cause the subjects to no longer support the ruler. -A ruler that is loved is loved only as long as that love can lead to gain for the subjects: once their power weakens, their subjects quickly forget their love. -If the subjects fear the ruler, that fear will act as a stronger guarantee of support: a ruler that is feared will be supported out of fear of what lack of support will lead to.

Moses

-Is an exemplary prudent man who by his own arms and virtue founded a new principality in prince and state. -Founder of Israel After coming down a mountain, (according to the Scripture Professor Duff read to the class) after talking to God to the Israelites. Commanded the Levies, one of the 12 twelve tribes of Israel, to kill their friends, enemies, and neighbors. That day, 3,000 were killed by the commands and he then acquired the people and they listened to him.

What does Aristotle mean by a household?

-Is the community constituted for the sake of daily life. Mere survival, existence. -The basic unit of association.

Cesare Borgia

-Is the illegitimate child of Pope Alexander VI. Became the first person ever to renounce being a cardinal. -He killed his opponents, the Orsini and Colonna families, and converted all of their supporters to his side. -He got rid of mercenaries and auxiliaries and established his own army. -He secured his new state, Romagna, by first crushing it with cruelty and then allowing it to run itself. While being cruel, he used a scapegoat so that no one hated him, and then killed the scapegoat so that he (Borgia) would be feared. -He made a four step plan for how to keep power once his dad died, which included the following: (1) Kill all local rulers. (2) Win support of all Roman nobles. (3) Gain as much control as possible over the people who elect the new pope. (4) Get so much land that no one can touch him. Um, not so much check. -Machiavelli's ideal ruler.

Pope Alexander VI

-Machiavelli writes that "Pope Alexander VI never did anything but con people. That was all he ever thought about" -"more than any other pope in history showed what could be done with finance and force of arms" -Alexander serves as a model for Machiavelli of how ruthlessness and immorality can sometimes work to the advantage of a ruler. He did things that popes are not supposed to do, and what did he get for it? He made the papacy more powerful than it had ever been before.

What is the difference between household rule and political rule?

-Man can only become fully human when he engages in the political association of the city. -"Man is by nature a political animal."

What does Augustine think of the practice of the cardinal virtues?

-None of them is a restful, satisfying, glory of your character or life. -None of them is at peace, each one of them is in the middle of a war in this life. -None of these virtues make you happy because happiness would be the peaceful resolution of this war which cannot be achieved in this life.

Polity

-Politeia= Regime -Ruled by many -"for the sake of the common good"

What is a regime?

-Regime is tied inherently to the governing body. The regime serves as the way the governing body is structured and is able to carry out their will. -A regime is the ETHOS of the community, the way of life in the community, the ruling element. -Arrangement of offices that have that has authority over matters.

Tyranny

-Ruler is a dictator -"for the sake of the ruler"

In what respect does Aristotle think humans pursue "the goods"?

-The discussion of good goes beyond our cave, as it doesn't have full account of what is good. -How we attain happiness through virtue. The human good brings us happiness -Everything aims to happiness, but everybody disagrees about what it is. -Happiness is self-sufficient, it does not depend on something else to be. -Happiness is the most complete thing.

Cyrus

-The founder of the Persian Empire (558-529 B.C.), In finding the Medes soft as a result of a long period of peace, defeated them and established an empire. Machiavelli lists him as one of the great princes who came to power by his abilities rather than fortune. -Under his control, the empire spanned from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indus River, making it the largest empire in the world at that time. He died in battle in 529 B.C. Machiavelli celebrates Cyrus' skill in warfare and governance.

Romulus

-The legendary founder of Rome. Machiavelli includes him as one of the great princes who came to power through abilities rather than fortune. -According to legend, Romulus killed his twin brother, Remus, when the brothers argued over the site for the foundation of a new city. He won and named the city Rome after himself.

What advice does Machiavelli have for subduing republics?

-When a place has been a free republic, they carry the memory of that freedom with them. They make it hard to take that freedom away and are more likely to revolt. -Be nasty, instantly or on the spot, and in public.

ARETE

-excellence of any kind -moral virtue living up to one's full potential.

LIBIDO DOMINANDI

-the will to power; the desire/lust to dominate -the lust for government

DOXA

-to appear, to seem -opinion

How does Aristotle distinguish the rule of one with "superlative virtue" from a traditional king by law?

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In what way does Augustine agree with some of the philosophical sects about the characteristics of the human good?

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What are the two humors in every city, according to Machiavelli?

1. People desire not to be commanded nor oppressed by the great (nobles). 2. The great desire to command and oppress the people. -Nothing works and there is and always will be conflict in politics.

Agathocles

Agathocles the Sicilian became king of Syracuse. He gave the example of acquiring a principality through crime. He was always a criminal and when he got into the military, he climbed the ranks becoming the praetor (like magistrate or commander) of Syracuse. He decided to become prince and do so with violence. He invited the people and senate of Syracuse as if to vote on things for the republic. He then ordered his soldiers to kill them. Once dead, he ruled without any controversy. He did all this not or of little fortune, virtue or support but instead through his ranks in the military through many hardships and dangers. He maintained his ruling though spirited and dangerous policies. Machiavelli tells us Agathocles who indeed got an empire through savage cruelty and inhumane practices is not deserving of glory or to be celebrated among the most excellent men.

What are the three (structural) features that distinguish moral virtue for Aristotle (also called virtue of character)?

Deficiency, Excess, and Virtue Virtue= Having to behave in the right manner as a mean between extremes of deficiency & excess.

Remiro d'Orco

Given governorship of Cesena by Cesare Borgia. He was a cruel and ready man basically took out all the crime in the area by prosecuting it harshly, killing a lot of criminals. He reduced it to peace and unity and was given respect. Once he managed to control the area, Borgia had him executed and left his body in the town square with the knife to gain the people for they think there was too much cruelty. In this move, Borgia; brought order to the city, killed the man who could take the credit, endeared himself to the people by killing the man they feared and showed that his justice would be quick and brutal.

Adeimantus' complaints about justice from Book II of the Republic

He argues that no one praises justice for its own sake, but only for the rewards it allows you to reap in both this life & the afterlife. They want Socrates to explain why justice should be desired by an individual in an absence of any external rewards.

What are the six regimes Aristotle discusses?

Monarchy, Aristocracy, Polity, Tyranny, Oligarchy, Democracy

Glaucon's complaints about justice from Book II of the Republic

Not only do people prefer to be unjust rather than just, but it is more ration for them to do so. To better benefit themselves. (Ex: Ring of Gyges)

Theseus

The legendary hero of Athens. Is included as one of the great princes who came to power through abilities rather than fortune.

What are the "three waves"?

Wave One ) Men & women can both have souls meant for leadership; need to receive the same education. Wave Two ) All things should be head in common among the leaders, including women and children. Wave Three ) All kings should be philosophers.

POLIS

city

TECHNE

craftsmanship, craft, or art

IDEA

form, look

FORTUNA

fortune

EUDAIMONIA

happiness or flourishing

NOMOS

law or custom

PHUSIS

nature

POLITEIA

regime

VIRTU

strength; virtue