Study Questions for The Republic and Aristotle's Politics

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics to assist in understanding their philosophical ideas and arguments.

Justice

The central question in Plato's Republic, explored in terms of both the individual soul and the political community.

Philosopher-King

A ruler who loves wisdom, knows the forms, seeks truth, and rules for the good of all.

Metaphysics

The study of the ultimate nature of reality, including the distinction between the ideal world and the material world.

Polis

Political community or city-state that exists not just for survival but to achieve the good life.

Teleological Thinking

Understanding something by its purpose, which requires hierarchical thinking based on excellence or defectiveness.

Soul-City Metaphor

A concept where the structure of the city mirrors the structure of the soul, emphasizing that justice means each part performing its proper function.

Vulgar People

Individuals focused solely on survival, who lack the capacity to engage in political life or pursue virtue.

Telos

Purpose, function, or goal that is measured in terms of excellence in performance or potential for excellence.

Hierarchical Structure

An arrangement in which certain functions (like reason) govern others (like spirit and appetite) to achieve justice.

Allegory of the Cave

A philosophical metaphor illustrating how people mistake illusions for reality and the journey towards true knowledge.

Classical Realism

Plato's theory of two realms: the ideal world of Forms and the material world of transient, decaying entities.

Soulcraft

The shaping of the soul towards justice.

Sophists

Relativist teachers who sold rhetoric and supported moral relativism.

Developmental Biology

Aristotle's concept that considers the developmental stages of living beings towards fulfilling their potential.

Political Animal

The idea that humanity is social and requires political structures to flourish, distinguished by the capacity for reason and speech.