Philosophy quiz #3 study guide

Political Philosophy

A branch of philosophy that explores ideas about government, justice, rights, and the role of institutions.

Normative Questions

Questions that ask how things ought to be rather than how things are.

Justice

A particular kind of ethical concern regarding structural relationships, institutions, and the distribution of benefits and burdens.

Limits of Claims

The boundaries of moral or ethical claims we can make on others within society.

Liberalism

A political philosophy emphasizing individual rights and freedoms, often prioritizing liberty.

Negative Liberty

Freedom defined as non-interference from others, focusing on the absence of constraints.

Positive Liberty

Freedom defined as the capability to act in one’s own best interest, emphasizing autonomy.

Republican Liberty

Freedom defined as non-domination, ensuring individuals are not subject to arbitrary power.

State of Nature

An imagined condition where there are no governments or laws, used to explore the necessity of state power.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who argued that without a strong authority, life would be chaotic and violent.

John Locke

Philosopher who believed the state exists to protect individuals' rights to life, liberty, and prosperity.

Harm Principle

John Stuart Mill’s principle stating that interference is only justified to prevent harm to others.

Self-Regarding Acts

Actions that only affect the individual performing them and do not harm others.

Natural Rights

Rights that individuals possess inherently and that governments are obliged to protect.

Hypothetical Social Contract

A theoretical agreement among individuals in a state of nature to form a government to secure their rights.

Overlapping Consensus

A concept by John Rawls where diverse moral views agree on certain core principles for justice.

Cosmopolitanism

The ethical perspective that all humans have rights and responsibilities that transcend national boundaries.

Associative Duties

Duties we owe to those with whom we share a special relationship, such as co-nationals.

National Self-determination

The principle that nations have the right to determine their own political direction and governance.

Right to Exclude

The entitlement of a state to control its borders and decide who can enter or leave.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation.

Civic Patriotism

Love for one’s country that can contribute to social justice and democratic principles.

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Instrumental Value

The value something has based on its ability to produce other valuable outcomes.

Non-instrumental Value

Value that something has in itself, not depending on its consequences.

Majority Rule

The principle that the option receiving the greatest number of votes should be adopted.

Epistocracy

Rule by the knowledgeable, an alternative to democracy that prioritizes educated decision-makers.

Structural Injustice

An injustice that arises from social structures that disadvantage certain groups without a clear agent of harm.

Social Norms

The informal rules that govern behavior in society, often unspoken but widely understood.

White Supremacy

A social structure that privileges white individuals and discriminates against others based on race.

Feminist Metaphysics

The study of the social constructs around gender and how they shape our understanding of identity.

Misogyny

An ideological system that enforces women's subordination within a patriarchal framework.

Cosmopolitan Duties

Duties owed to individuals globally, beyond national or local affiliations.

Democratic Authority

The legitimate power derived from the consent and participation of the governed.

Intense Preferences

Strongly held opinions on issues that may not represent the majority view but are significant for some.

Concentric Circle Analogy

A thought experiment illustrating the varying duties we owe to different individuals based on relation.

Proportional Elections

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Social Construction

The process by which society collectively creates and maintains norms, values, and identities.

Causal Construction

X is causally influenced by social forces and practices.

Constitutive Construction

X is defined or constituted by social norms and practices.

Institutional Factors

Rules and conditions established by institutions that shape actions and opportunities in society.

Collective Autonomy

The ability of a group to govern itself according to its own values and interests.

Nationalism vs Patriotism

Nationalism often implies superiority of one nation; patriotism involves love for one's country without other nations' devaluation.