DWC 102-012 Spring 2025 Flashcards

Flashcards about main themes and topics from the DWC 102-012 Spring 2025 lecture notes.

How did the Christian author influence the story of Beowulf?

The author criticized Pagan religion and likely had Christian influences on the story, reflecting his beliefs.

What role did the Church play in the Crusades?

The Church initiated the Crusades and offered indulgences to participants, excusing sins committed during the protests.

What is the significance of Petrarch climbing Mt. Ventoux in relation to the Renaissance?

Petrarch's climb reflects humanism, individualism, appreciation for nature, and ancient history, drawing inspiration from Augustine and expressing themes of glory.

What does 'Ad fontes' mean, and what is its significance for Humanism?

It means 'go back to the sources,' reflecting the Humanist belief that the best ideas originated from original works.

According to the lecture notes, how does Boccaccio describe Florence during the Black Death?

Boccaccio describes Florence as being in the grips of the Black Death, representing the broader collapse of social order; he also wrote Decameron to comfort women in love.

Why did Machiavelli value the studying of history?

Machiavelli believed studying history allows us to learn from past actions and apply those lessons to the future.

What were Luther's political actions during the Reformation?

Luther preached against the Catholic Church's power over kings, reduced the sacraments to two, and gained German support, leading to religious division in Europe.

Define 'conceit' in the context of Baroque architecture and poetry.

A conceit is a poetic metaphor used to create emotional impact through complex designs, lighting, optical illusions, and contrasting themes.

What was the importance of Vasco da Gama's Portuguese journey around Africa?

It opened access to trade with China and India, establishing Portugal as a major trading empire.

What are the key differences between absolutism and constitutionalism?

Absolutism is the belief in total monarchical power, while constitutionalism advocates for shared power with laws and a constitution; Great Britain and the Netherlands were not absolutist states.

What were the main outcomes of the English Civil War?

It resulted in the execution of King Charles, the establishment of a republic under Cromwell's dictatorship, and the eventual restoration of the monarchy with Charles II, setting the stage for a constitutional monarchy.

In Milton's view, why were Adam and Eve heroic?

Adam was heroic for choosing to fall with Eve out of love, and Eve acted out of curiosity and a desire for power; both rose above their mistakes and recognized their wrongdoing.

What aspects of European culture did Voltaire satirize in Candide?

Voltaire satirized the philosophy of aristocracy, its pretensions, war, religion, rulers, slavery, and the state of men and women.

What are the characteristics of mendicant monasticism as exemplified by St. Francis and St. Dominic?

Mendicant monasticism promotes poverty, simplicity, active ministry in the world, intellectual pursuits, and community life.

What were Brunelleschi and Ghiberti's contributions to Florence?

Brunelleschi designed the massive dome of the Florence Duomo, and Ghiberti created the Gates of Paradise for the Florence Baptistery.

What was the main goal of the Council of Trent and the Catholic Counter-Reformation?

The Council aimed to clarify Catholic doctrine, counter Protestant teachings, affirm the seven sacraments, emphasize the importance of both scripture and tradition, and revitalize the Catholic Church.

What are the defining characteristics of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture?

Romanesque features thick walls, small windows, and rounded arches; Gothic includes pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and large stained-glass windows; Renaissance emphasizes symmetry, proportion, geometry, and human scale.

What is the difference between geocentric and heliocentric models of the universe?

The geocentric model places Earth at the center, while the heliocentric model places the Sun at the center.

According to the lecture notes, what did Leonardo da Vinci do?

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance genius, an artist, scientist, engineer, and inventor, known for works like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, with extensive studies in anatomy, botany, engineering, and physics.

Describe Hobbes's versus Locke's view of the state of nature.

Hobbes believed life without government is violent and chaotic, requiring an absolute monarch, while Locke believed people are reasonable, free, and possess natural rights, advocating for a government formed by consent.

What is liberalism and what are its core principles?

Liberalism is a philosophy focused on individual freedom, natural rights, and equality before the law, advocating for democracy, freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and private property, with a core principle of limited government to protect rights.

How did Italian Renaissance, French formal, and English naturalistic gardens differ?

Italian Renaissance gardens emphasized order and symmetry, French formal gardens reflected absolute power through strict symmetry, and English naturalistic gardens aimed for a natural, man-made-looking appearance.

Summarize Aquinas's view about God's nature.

Aquinas viewed God as pure being, unchangeable, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and the source of all goodness.

According to Aquinas, why does God create anything?

According to Aquinas, God creates out of goodness and love, not out of necessity.

According to Aquinas, how can humans know God? And what is human nature?

According to Aquinas, humans can know God through reason and revelation. Human nature is rational, moral, and purposeful, with body and soul united, free will, a capacity for virtue and an immortal soul.

According to Aquinas, how can humans achieve eternal happiness with God?

According to Aquinas, virtue and grace work together to help humans live morally and reach eternal happiness with God; virtue is our effort, and grace is God's help.

How does Dante characterize hell?

Dante characterizes hell as having nine concentric circles with different levels of punishment based on the severity of sins, with suffering being a reversal of the sins committed.

Who were Francesca and Paolo in Dante's Inferno, and what was their fate?

Francesca and Paolo were lovers who were killed by Francesca's husband (Paolo's brother) and condemned to be swept forever in a windstorm in Hell, symbolizing their lust.

How does Dante characterize Satan?

Dante portrays Satan as stuck in ice at the bottom of hell with three faces, representing the absence of God's love and light and enduring eternal suffering.

How are souls purified in Dante's Purgatory?

Souls in Purgatory undergo tasks and conditions designed to undo their sins and encourage reflection to help them reach Heaven.

How does Machiavelli's view of leadership contrast with Cicero's classical virtue?

Machiavelli focuses on real-world power and effectiveness, separating politics from ethics, whereas Cicero believed in moral excellence and justice as essential for a leader.

What are the core differences between Cicero's and Machiavelli's definitions of virtue/virtu?

Cicero defines virtue as moral excellence, while Machiavelli defines virtu as political effectiveness, even if ruthless, to gain and hold power.

How does Cesare Borgia exemplify Machiavelli's concept of virtu?

Cesare Borgia exemplified virtu by using force to gain and maintain power, showcasing effective yet ruthless leadership.

What were Hume's views on human knowledge and causation?

Hume argued that knowledge comes from sense experience, and the belief in causation is based on custom, not logical proof; he questioned the certainty of events like the sun rising tomorrow.

What were Hume's views on religious belief?

Hume was skeptical of miracles and suggested that religious belief stems from tradition, fear, hope, and emotion rather than empirical evidence; he also questioned the nature of a perfect God in the face of evil.

What is Hume's problem of evil?

Hume argued that if God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, He would prevent evil; since evil exists, either God lacks these qualities or does not exist.