Foundations of Ancient and Modern Ethics and Politics

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts, metaphors, and definitions from the lecture notes on Plato, Epictetus, Boethius, Mill, Thoreau, and MLK Jr.

The Oracle of Delphi's reply regarding Socrates

The claim that no one is wiser than Socrates, which Socrates interpreted as a mission to expose the ignorance of those who think they are wise.

Socratic Wisdom

The recognition of one's own ignorance; knowing that you do not know.

Socrates at Potidaea, Amphipolis, and Delium

Examples of Socrates' own war heroism used to argue that a brave person must stand their ground for what is right, regardless of the risk of death.

The Gadfly Metaphor

Socrates' description of himself as a biting fly that stings the 'sluggish horse' of Athens to wake it up and force it to reflect on its thinking.

Leon of Salamis

An example from Socrates' life where he refused an unjust order from the Tyrants to arrest a man, demonstrating that he would rather risk death than commit injustice.

Cephalus' definition of justice

Being honest and repaying one's debts.

Polemarchus' definition of justice

Giving to each what is appropriate, specifically helping friends and harming enemies.

Thrasymachus' definition of justice

The advantage of the stronger; the idea that justice is whatever benefits the ruling power.

Glaucon's Three Kinds of Goods

1. Goods desired for their own sake. 2. Goods desired for their own sake and their consequences. 3. Onerous goods desired only for their consequences.

The Ring of Gyges

A story used to argue that people only practice justice because they lack the power to be unjust without consequences.

The Chains in the Cave Allegory

Represent a lack of education and a state of 'sub-ignorance' where one does not know that they do not know.

Dialectic

The highest form of philosophy and reasoning that uses questioning to discover the truth; Plato argued it should not be taught to the young until they have foundational knowledge.

Timocracy

A society that values honor, military ability, and ambition over wisdom.

Oligarchy

A society ruled by the wealthy where money is valued more than virtue.

Drones

Plato's term for impoverished people or squanderers who lack means and become either beggars or criminals, making society dangerous.

Democratic Man

A person who lacks a moral compass and treats all desires as equal, yielding to whatever whim strikes them day by day.

Things 'Up to Us' (Epictetus)

What is naturally free and under our direct control, such as our own opinions, desires, and judgments.

Epictetus’ Bath Example

An illustration that one should approach actions by considering the nature of the activity (e.g., splashing at a bath) to avoid being upset when things do not go as planned.

Invalid Inferences (Epictetus)

The logical error of believing that because one's possessions or eloquence is superior, the person themselves is superior.

Lady Philosophy's Torn Robe

A symbol of how philosophical wisdom has been fragmented and stolen by different schools of thought (like the Stoics and Epicureans).

Double Certainty regarding Fortune

The certainty that good fortune will eventually be lost and that its loss will bring misery.

The problem of 'The Spirit of Improvement' vs 'The Spirit of Liberty'

The conflict where social improvement is often forced upon people, whereas liberty allows for diverse paths of individual development.

Harm Principle (Mill)

The principle that the only legitimate reason for society to exercise power over an individual is to prevent harm to others.

Assumption of Infallibility

The error committed when one silences an opinion, as it presumes that one's own current judgment is absolutely and certainly correct.

Thoreau's critique of voting

The view that voting is a passive 'gaming' with a slight moral tinge that leaves justice to the whim of the majority.

Kings's Step of 'Self-Purification'

The process of preparing oneself for nonviolent direct action by shedding the urge to retaliate and ensuring one can endure suffering for the cause.

Creative Extremist

A term MLK Jr. embraces to describe those who nonviolently challenge societal norms for the sake of love and justice, citing Jesus as an example.