AP Lang Happy Review

Who is the main speaker in this reading from The Ring of Gyges?

Glaucon, Plato's brother, who presents the argument for egoism as a challenge to Socrates.

What is egoism, as explained in this The Ring of Gyges?

The view that all human actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest, even when they appear altruistic.

What is the central claim Glaucon makes about justice?

People are just not because they value justice, but because they fear the consequences of injustice.

What myth does Glaucon use to illustrate his point about justice?

The myth of Gyges’ ring—a magical ring that makes its wearer invisible, allowing them to act without consequence.

What is the origin of justice, according to Glaucon?

Arises as a compromise between doing injustice (which is good) and suffering it (which is bad); it’s a social contract formed from necessity, not virtue.

What happens when Gyges discovers the ring?

He uses its power to become invisible, seduce the queen, kill the king, and take over the kingdom.

What does this myth of The Ring of Gyges suggest about human nature?

If people could act unjustly without consequence, they would—suggesting that justice is only practiced out of fear or necessity.

What does Glaucon believe would happen if both a just and unjust person had such a ring?

They would both act unjustly, proving that no one is just by choice, only by compulsion.

How does Glaucon define the "perfectly unjust person"?

One who commits all injustices but maintains a reputation for being just—essentially fooling society.

How does Glaucon define the "perfectly just person"?

One who is truly just but perceived as unjust, receiving no rewards or honor for their virtue.

What is psychological egoism?

The idea that all people always act out of self-interest.

What is ethical egoism?

The idea that people should act in their own self-interest.

Which does Glaucon’s argument support more—psychological or ethical egoism?

Mostly psychological egoism, though his tone hints at the ethical dimension as well.

How does the Gyges myth critique conventional morality?

It challenges the belief that people are naturally good, suggesting instead that morality is a societal construct upheld only by external pressures.

What is the cave a metaphor in The Allegory of the Cave?

The world of appearances and ignorance, where people are trapped in illusion and perceive reality only through their senses.

Who are the prisoners in the cave meant to represent?

Ordinary people who accept sensory knowledge as truth without questioning it.

What do the shadows on the wall represent?

Illusions or false realities created by culture, institutions, or limited perception.

What does the fire inside the cave symbolize?

The limited source of truth and false enlightenment created by society—partial truth but not the ultimate truth (e.g., media, tradition).

What does the journey out of the cave symbolize?

The soul’s ascent from ignorance to knowledge and enlightenment—education or philosophical awakening.

What does the sun represent in the allegory?

The ultimate truth or the “Form of the Good”—Plato’s highest form of knowledge.

What does the prisoner experience upon first leaving the cave?

Pain, blindness, confusion, and resistance, symbolizing the difficulty of adjusting to new knowledge or truth.

Why is it hard for prisoners to leave the cave?

They're comfortable in their ignorance, and the unknown is scary and painful to confront.

What happens when the freed prisoner returns to the cave?

The others reject and ridicule him, and may even threaten him, symbolizing society’s resistance to those who challenge accepted norms.

What lesson does Plato teach through the freed prisoner’s return?

Enlightened individuals have a duty to help educate others, even if society resists.

What are the four levels of knowledge according to Plato?

Imagination (shadows), Belief (fire), Thought (reflection in water), Understanding (Sun).

What’s the difference between the visible and intelligible worlds?

The visible world deals with sensory perception (shadows, physical objects), while the intelligible world involves reason, logic, and true understanding (Forms, the Good).

What would happen if the cave prisoner were forced to look directly at the light?

He’d be blinded at first, symbolizing how truth can be painful or disorienting when first encountered.

What does Plato say about education?

True education is not just filling a mind with facts but turning the soul toward the light and guiding someone to seek truth.

What role should philosophers play in society according to The Allegory of the Cave?

They should lead and educate others, even if misunderstood or attacked, because they have seen the truth.

What are the two types of morality Nietzsche identifies?

Master-morality and slave-morality.

What defines master-morality?

It originates from the strong/ruling class. “Good” = noble, powerful, proud; “Bad” = weak, cowardly, insignificant.

What defines slave-morality?

It originates from the oppressed. “Good” = kind, humble, sympathetic; “Evil” = powerful, proud, independent.

What is the origin of moral values in master-morality?

Come from self-glorification. The noble type defines good based on traits they see in themselves.

How does slave-morality redefine values?

It is reactive, seeing the traits of the powerful as dangerous or evil, and elevating submissiveness as moral.

What does Nietzsche mean by the phrase “beyond good and evil”?

True nobility lies beyond traditional moral values. You creates values rather than following inherited ones.

According to Nietzsche, who creates values in society?

The noble (master) type—those with strength, confidence, and self-respect.

How does Nietzsche describe noble morality's relationship to pity and sympathy?

The noble may help others, but not out of pity—it’s a generous overflow of power, not weakness.

Why does Nietzsche believe modern morality is dominated by slave-morality?

Because society elevates equality, safety, and humility over strength, difference, and excellence.

What is vanity, and how does Nietzsche interpret it?

The slave’s instinct, which is the need for others' approval. A noble soul does not need external validation.

Contrast “Good vs. Bad” with “Good vs. Evil” in Nietzsche’s terms.

“Good vs. Bad” = noble vs. lowly (master-morality); “Good vs. Evil” = submissive vs. powerful (slave-morality).

What is ressentiment and how does it relate to slave-morality?

It’s a festering resentment that fuels slave-morality, and turns weakness into a moral virtue.

How does Nietzsche critique modern democratic or Christian values?

He sees them as extensions of slave-morality by elevating mediocrity and suppressing individuality and greatness.

Why does Nietzsche associate “progress” with decline?

Progress often means the leveling out of greatness, the rise of the mediocre, and the loss of noble values.

What does Nietzsche say about the influence of ancestry?

Ancestral traits (e.g. obedience, command, faith) shape the soul—modern education tries to mask this.

What happens when a society becomes too comfortable?

It loses discipline, values deteriorate, and individuals spiral into egotism and chaos.

How does Nietzsche describe aristocratic cultures like ancient Greece?

As hard, disciplined societies that produce noble types through struggle, simplicity, and harsh conditions.

Why does Nietzsche think vanity is “atavistic”?

It’s a leftover instinct from slave ancestry by desiring approval from others rather than self-worth.

What is the "instinct for rank"?

The innate ability to recognize and respect greatness. It marks noble souls.

What does Nietzsche say about the “cultured” classes?

They often lack reverence and treat everything (e.g., sacred books, art) with shallow arrogance.

According to Nietzsche, how does the noble soul interact with equals?

With mutual honor and respect—not pity, but a balanced exchange of rights and dignity.

Why does Zarathustra leave the mountains after ten years?

He has grown weary of hoarding wisdom and seeks to share it, like a cup overflowing — a metaphor for teaching and generosity.

How is the sun used as a metaphor in Zarathustra’s prologue?

Represents life-giving energy that is only meaningful because others receive it.

What does Zarathustra mean when he says, “Zarathustra is going to be a man again”?

He is returning from solitude and divine contemplation to engage with humanity and worldly concerns.

What does the old saint in the forest symbolize?

Traditional religious devotion and withdrawal from the world. He praises God through isolation but is unaware that “God is dead.”

What is “the down-going” in Nietzsche’s prologue?

Zarathustra's descent from the mountain symbolizes re-engaging with society to transform it, paralleling the sun setting to give light to the “nether-world.”

What is Zarathustra’s response to the old saint’s religiosity?

He respects the saint but departs, recognizing that his message—centered on man, not God—won’t resonate with someone who still worships a deity.

What does Zarathustra mean by “I teach you the Overman”?

He introduces the idea of the Übermensch, an ideal future human who transcends current human weaknesses and lives with purpose and strength.

Why does Nietzsche use the ape-to-man metaphor?

Just as apes are a stepping stone to man, man is only a bridge to something greater—the Übermensch.

What is the greatest experience according to Zarathustra?

“The hour of great contempt”—a moment when one feels deep dissatisfaction with their current values, prompting transformation.

What does Zarathustra say about traditional values like pity, reason, virtue, and justice?

He sees them as self-congratulatory and weak if not driven by passion or a higher calling. They must be redefined through the lens of overcoming.

What does Zarathustra mean by “God is dead”?

Traditional religious and moral frameworks are no longer credible; humanity must find new meaning in life without relying on divine authority.

What is Zarathustra’s stance on spirituality?

He rejects otherworldly promises and demands that people remain faithful to the earth and seek meaning through earthly experience.

Why do the people laugh at Zarathustra?

They misunderstand or ignore his message, preferring entertainment (a rope-dancer) over philosophical truth.

Why does Zarathustra reject giving alms?

It implies superiority and condescension; he wants to give gifts from abundance, not out of pity or charity.

What does Zarathustra mean when he says the Overman is “that lightning, that frenzy”?

The Übermensch represents a radical, passionate force that breaks through stagnation and mediocrity to affirm life.

What does the sea symbolize in Zarathustra’s metaphor?

The Übermensch—capable of receiving all human pollution and transforming it without becoming tainted.

Why does Zarathustra invoke animals (eagle, serpent, bear)?

They symbolize power, cunning, and authenticity—virtues Nietzsche associates with noble instincts.

What are the three types of morality Browne identifies?

Personal, Universal, and Absolute morality.

What defines personal morality?

It's self-created, considers the consequences of your actions on yourself, and is aligned with your own goals and values.

What defines universal morality?

Morality that claims to apply to everyone, assumes one size fits all.

What defines absolute morality?

Morality based on external authority, demands obedience regardless of personal cost.

What’s the problem with universal morality?

It assumes what makes one person happy will work for everyone, ignoring individual differences.

What’s wrong with absolute morality?

It requires surrendering your happiness and judgment to an outside authority, often under threat of being labeled "immoral."

What is the Unselfishness Trap?

The belief that you must put others’ happiness ahead of your own to be moral.

Why is the Unselfishness Trap a problem, according to Browne?

It leads people to give up their desires, make decisions out of guilt or fear, and live based on others' expectations.

What does Browne say about the cycle of unselfishness?

It creates a never-ending loop of passing happiness from person to person, with no one actually receiving it.

Who is responsible for your life and happiness, according to Browne?

You. You are the only one who experiences the consequences of your choices, so you must be the authority on what’s right for you.

How does Browne respond to people calling selfishness "immoral"?

He says people use morality as a tool of control — when they call you selfish, they’re really upset you aren’t doing what they want.

What’s the danger in letting others define your morality?

You end up living their life, not your own. You sacrifice your happiness and can be easily manipulated by guilt or pressure.

What is Browne’s red rubber ball analogy?

It symbolizes happiness. Passing the ball (giving up happiness) doesn't help anyone—true happiness must be claimed by the individual.

What does Browne say about helping others?

Helping is okay if it's something you truly want to do. It should come from desire, not obligation.

According to Browne, what’s the best kind of relationship?

Mutually beneficial relationships where both people gain something they value — no sacrifice required.

What is Objectivism?

A philosophy developed by Ayn Rand emphasizing individualism and rational self-interest.

What does Rand argue regarding morality and selfishness?

Morality is synonymous with selfishness; rational behavior equates to putting one's own interests first.

What does Rand claim about the duty to be selfish?

Individuals have a moral responsibility to prioritize their own happiness.

How does Rand view altruism?

She considers altruism or self-sacrifice as immoral.

What is Rand's stance on objective reality?

Objective reality exists independent of human perceptions, and knowledge is obtained through reason.

What does Rand consider to be the highest moral purpose?

Pursuing one's own happiness is viewed as the ultimate moral objective.

What common belief about money and happiness does Norton challenge?

That money can’t buy happiness. He argues it can—if you spend it the right way.

What’s the “wrong” way to spend money, according to Norton?

Spending it on yourself, which tends to do little or nothing for your happiness.

What’s the “right” way to spend money?

Spending it on other people—a concept Norton calls prosocial spending.

What experiment did Norton conduct at the University of British Columbia?

Students were randomly given $5 or $20 and told to either spend it on themselves or on someone else by 5 p.m. Their happiness was measured before and after.

What were the results of the experiment Norton talked about at UBC?

Those who spent money on others were happier by the end of the day. The amount of money didn’t matter—who it was spent on did.

Did Norton test the money experiment outside of North America?

Yes, he replicated the experiment in Uganda and found similar results: spending on others increased happiness regardless of culture or income level.

What example from Uganda showed the impact of prosocial spending?

A woman gave money to a friend whose child had malaria—a small amount that had life-saving impact.

What happened when Norton applied the concept of prosocial spending to work teams in Belgium?

Teams given money to spend on each other (rather than themselves) performed better and sold more products.

What is the significance of the piñata example?

It illustrates how a shared fun experience—even something silly—can bond teams and improve performance.

What happened in Norton’s dodgeball team experiment?

Teams that spent money on teammates dominated the league; those who spent on themselves showed no change.

What is prosocial spending?

Spending money on others through gifts, donations, or acts of kindness.

What is Norton’s ultimate message?

“If you think money can’t buy happiness, you’re not spending it right.”