Philosophy Review

What evidence does Newman, following Cicero, offer to support the claim that knowledge can be an end in itself?

The quest for truth is a noble and self-sufficient goal. Newman says that all men prefer knowledge to ignorance and consider it a disgrace to be deceived. He considers the inherent good of fulfilling our intellectual and spiritual capacities as people and considers the fact that even after necessities are satisfied, we still prefer to know.

According to Newman, what is a university?

A university is a place dedicated to instilling in students a philosophical habit of mind. It is a place of higher learning and intellectual development which involves the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, rather than for immediate practical or professional outcomes. It aims at broadening the intellect and allowing students to engage with knowledge across a range of disciplines with the end goal of forming a coherent worldview.

T/F Newman argues that conscience, properly understood, is self-respect.

FALSE. Newman argues that conscience, properly understood, is not a subjective feeling or a personal judgement, but a moral authority.

According to Cephalus, why does he leave the discussion of what justice is?

Cephalus says he leaves to go offer sacrifices to the gods.

How does Thrasymachus rebut the claim that the stronger might be in error about what is to their own advantage?

He says that in that case, the stronger person would not be acting like the stronger person at all. If rulers were truly in error, they would not remain in power for long; their rule would be overthrown.

Starting in Book II, the discussion is shaped by an analogy that runs through the dialogue. What is the analogy?

The analogy is the city and the soul.

What gave rise to the need for a guardian class? (Yes, they will need to fight wars and police the city, but how did these new need arise?)

Because of a suggestion that the city previously described would not be happy. A rise in luxury requires more people, causes war, etc. Thus leading to the need for guardians.

T/F Toward the end of Book V there is a discussion of knowledge, ignorance, and opinion

TRUE. Knowledge is objective, certain, and unchanging. Ignorance is the absence of true knowledge. Opinion floats between knowledge and ignorance; it involves perceiving or thinking about the changing, imperfect world.

In Book VI, Socrates compares the Form of the Good to

the sun.

According to Book VII, what 4 sciences should potential guardians study?

Numbers and calculations, geometry, astronomy, and harmonics

Name at least two of the inferior cities described in Book VIII.

Timocratic, Oligarchic, Democratic, and Tyrannical

T/F In Book IX, Socrates argues that the philosopher’s soul is in a better condition than the tyrant’s soul.

True.

T/F Aristotle says that the goal of studying political science is knowledge, not action.

False.

What are the 3 lives Aristotle considers when investigating eudaimonia?

The life of study, the life of gratification, and the life of political activity

What is Aristotle's definition of the human good?

an activity of the soul in accord with virtue, and indeed in accord with the best and most complete virtue, if there are more virtues than one, and further, in a complete life

T/F Aristotle says that happiness requires external goods, that is, a sort of prosperity.

True.

T/F Aristotle says that, whereas virtue of thought arises mostly from teaching, virtue of character results from habit.

True.

What is Aristotle’s definition of virtue of character (ethicke arete)?

a state which decides consisting in a mean relative to each person according to the reason of a prudent person