POLI 107 - Third Assessment

A theme common to Machiavelli’s main works involves an indifference to using _________

for political ends.

Immoral means

Some argue that Machiavelli relies upon a science of politics because he uses examples of

_________. However, more times than not, he relies on assumptions derived from _________

rather than scientific positivism. Additionally, his real-world evidence is _________ and

_________.

Successful and unsuccessful rulers

Common Sense

Highly Selective and unsystematic

He argues that political theory should be derived from _________ rather than ideals or

principled beliefs.

REALITY

Does Machiavelli believe politics should help people become good and overcome our

weaknesses?

No. People are self-interested, fickle, and wicked. Justice, wisdom, temperance, and faith have little to do with politics, and DONT reflect human nature

People tend to be _________, _________, and _________.

self-interested, fickle, and wicked

The ‘supreme good’ is only understood in terms of _________ and _________.

Power & glory

What happens when leaders operate under the assumption that being good will be

returned by others being good? What should rulers do for the interests of the state?

Rulers must be prepared to exhaust whatever means are necessary for the interest of the state. Rulers who operate under the assumption that goodness will be returned delude themselves and jeopardize the state

What is the morality of the ruler? How does this view align with norms of Christian conduct? Why shouldn’t rulers follow Christianity or any other group morality? Is there any value for religion?

For the morality of the ruler: the ends justify the means, one must be prepared to do whatever it takes (good or bad) Christian morality is otherworldly and distracts from this world, it preaches an ethic of weakness and servility (religion is just a tool to control or inspire people), Rulers must be above any group morality in order to be free to act as they must, they often must violate christian conduct

What is the consequence of human egoism? How can law help?

Human nature is acutely self-interested and egoist, leading to an adversarial social world the force of law must restraint our behavior and coerce us into obedience

The legitimacy of the state/ruler rests upon ____ and ____

The ability of coerce the citizenry and the ability to ward off threats from other states

What does it mean to create an “artificial harmony”? Why is this something rulers should be concerned about?

Rulers must create an artificial harmony among selfish people as our social world is not one where we tend to have peace and harmony (not stable state), and this invites other states to attack

The Force of Law must trestrain our behavior and coerce us into obedience, Law is key in cultivating national character and civic virtue, rulers should instill civic virtue in their people which will direct their energies to supporting the state

The ____ and ____ of the state requires popular support

Success and Stability

____ helps direct the energies of the people to supporting the state. What is a key tool for this?

Civic Virtue

Law

What is meant by an “economy of violence”?

Just enough coercion to ensure compliance

Machiavelli promotes an ethic of _____

Prudence and restraint

Some believe Machiavelli sacrifices virtue on the alter or ___

instrumental rationality (doing the right thing depends on circumstances)

What does it mean to be flexible?

Is that statement must be able and wiling to perform both good and bad act (the ends justify the means, mortality of the ruler)

What was Hobbes’ aim in writing Leviathan?

He wanted to legitimize absolute monarchy, this was done during the 1642-51 English Civil War between monarchists and those who wanted to expand the powers of parliament

What term do we use for a method that starts with simple questions and builds upon what has been proven?

This technique is _________ rather than empirical, which means it can be true even if we do not observe it ourselves. What happens when we make bad assumptions?

Syllogism

the technique is deductive; when we make bad assumptions, the theory will collaspe

_________ holds that the physical world is a mechanical system that operates according to geometric precision. How does this apply to human behavior, including politics?

Materialism

One needs to uncover the forces behind human movement and action

What are the two basic types of sensation? How does this help us understand how people move/behave?

Desire and Aversion

People MOVE on the basis of these feelings, desire makes us move to things we want, aversion is the opposite

This is a fundamental _________ theory of human behavior.

Psychological

The body is programmed to do what? This instinct is _________, _________, and _________. It is also the highest _________.

THe body is programmed to preserve itself. Self preservation is a natural right that exist prior to social interaction.

This instinct is universal, pervasive, and never-ending.

The highest moral good

How does egoism shape social interaction? This makes social life _________ and _________.

It also makes _________ all-consuming. What is the consequence of this relative to our time and abilities?

All humans seek to preserve themselves and acquire things they want. This makes social life dangerous and competitive

It makes the pursuit of power. This limits what we can do with out time and abilities

In the state of nature, humans are constantly ____ with each other. Natural ____ makes it impossible to create order.

Competing

Equality

No moral order can resolve this competition or the treats we face

What is the dominant state of social relations in nature? Is this a rational outcome? Why?

War is the dominant state of social relations in nature; it’s our rational option, we must use our higher faculties to survive rather than better our lives

This also makes the state of nature _________, where we exchange a higher quality of life for continuous fear and _________.

Suboptimal

Danger of violent death

Reason helps us _________ and find better ways to obtain the things we desire. It also helps us understand the _________, which provide guidance about _________.

Regulate our actions

Laws of Nature

how we are best able to live our lives and preserve ourselves

_________ is the optimal condition for survival. This requires _________ in each other. Is this likely in the state of nature?

PEACE

mutual confidence

Our freedom in the state of nature makes this unlikely

When people cannot trust each other, what is the solution?

To take the power to decide outcomes away from them and give it to the Leviathan, who has the power to coerce and enforce. A social contract transfers power to the Leviathan

The Leviathan is an _________. Can you explain why?

artificial entity made up of individual wills

Anything made up by the humans to imitate a form of nature is artificial to Hobbes. The Leviathan is also Mortal God, whose power cannot be questioned, it is the only entity with the legitimate power to coerce

Can the Leviathan be any form of government? What is most important rather than form?

Leviathan can take on any form of government as long as it secures peace and restores the laws of nature

_________ makes people sociable and obedient.

Fear of Punishment

What is life under the Leviathan like? Are we better off if we surrender complete freedom to do whatever we want?

Life under Leviathan is a qualitative improvement form the state of nature because there’s no more sacrifice to survive. Surrendering complete freedom also opens up opportunities to pursue interests that do not conflict with others

Does Hobbes believe a Leviathan is a permanent solution? What is the indicator that the Leviathan has failed?

The Leviathan is meant to prevent the return to the state of nature, but not perfectly permanent solution

We tend to like the idea of absolute freedom and equality. What is Hobbes’ advice to the contrary?

Hobbes says to look at the world through a purely rational lens, absolute freedom and equality creates a suboptimal existence in the state of nature. any semblance of LASTING PEACE requires Leviatan