WPT midterm

John Rawls’ approach to justice and his idea of the veil of ignorance

the veil of ignorance keeps us from knowing who we are and identifying with our personal circumstances

Peter Singer’s Utilitarian approach to global poverty

utilitarianism is what will increase the general wellbeing/ pleasure, reduce suffering/pain

In The Apology what is Socrates’ self-conception as a gadfly

gadfly is a small insect that bites horse to keep them awake, related to Plato because he considers himself a small object with a big purpose

from The Apology the relationship between poverty and truth/wisdom

In "The Apology," Socrates argues that poverty is not a hindrance to truth and wisdom. He believes that true wisdom comes from self-awareness and questioning, rather than material wealth. Socrates suggests that those who are poor may actually be closer to wisdom as they are not distracted by the pursuit of riches.

In Plato’s Republic what is Thrasymachus’s definition of justice

advantage of the stronger

“City of Pigs” and why it doesn’t last

arete

the quality of excellence

Objections to the Kallipolis

• Who decides who belongs where?

• could hinder progress

• tyrannical/ totalitarian

• unfair

• groupthink: lack of independent thought

• eugenicist

Plato on democracy

Democracy can result in the tyranny of the majority, in which the people’s passions lead them to oppress minorities or make bad decisions

Plato on the decline of the regimes

Difference of outlook/ approach between Plato and Aristotle

Plato:

• idealist

• anti democratic

Aristotle

• materialist

Aristotle’s virtue and the golden mean

moderation…?

Aristotle’s human nature and the purpose of political association

Aristotle believed that humans are social by nature and the purpose of political association is to achieve the common good and fulfill human potential.

Aristotle on slavery, equality, and citizenship

Aristotle believed in natural slavery, where some people are born to be slaves. He argued that not all individuals are equal and that citizenship should be reserved for those capable of rational thought and self-governance.

Aristotle’s ideal form of government

a constitutional government, which he believed to be a balanced form of governance that combines elements of democracy and oligarchy.

Augustine’s City of God

·       City of Man	·       City of God
·       Love of self	·       Love of God
·       Earthly Pursuits	·       Heavenly city
·       Flesh	·       Spirit
·       Peace is the goal of politics —> don’t mistake that as the ultimate goal	·       Peace with god —> ultimate good

Aquinas theory of law: different types

• eternal law: god’s law, god’s conception of things

• divine law (revelation): scripture

• natural law (moral): participation in eternal law by rational creatures (murder)

• human law (more specific)

Aquinas similarities/ connections with Aristotle

Aquinas and Aristotle both emphasized the importance of reason in understanding the world. Aquinas built upon Aristotle's ideas, integrating them with Christian theology in his works.

Machiavelli: similarities with aristotle

• being a teacher is an art to be developed

• the world as it is

• the “golden mean” (moderation)

power politics

a form of politics based on displays of use of force/ power as opposed to an ethical/ moral power

fortuna

force that we can’t predict