Herman Ch. 5-6 Flashcards
What were Aristotle’s views on governance?
Aristotle advocated for democracy and viewed the fundamental unit of society as the individual house, rather than the collective. He encouraged political participation and considered that diversity among groups, even class distinctions were necessary for the benefit of everyone. His goal of politics was not perfection, but rather the improvement of individuals Aristotle believed that you were only free if you had independence without interference without government. Aristotle viewed Athens as the prototype for government.
What were Plato’s views on Governance?
Clear class system -Philosopher rulers -Guardians - Working class
Was influenced by the class struggles that killed Socrates and by seeing the corruption that comes from Democracy
Focused on creating the ideal community, a utopia.
We find true freedom only when we find out proper place in the community
Perfect laws exist to make members of the community good.
Eugenics/breeding programs, outlawed poetry and art
Saw Sparta as the prototype
Community is meant to make the people happy
Forerunner for communism
Who are the two antagonists to Socrates in Plato’s political writings and what are their ideas about government? What does Plato believe about these ideas?
Gorgias and Callicles
Gorgias -discussion and persuasion, it didn’t make if it was right, rather if people believe you
Callicles - power hungry and sinister
Plato advocates for the pursuit of true knowledge or and the application of what is good, not just what will bring power and influence.
Summarize Plato’s attempt to put his ideas into practice with Dion and Dionysius II. How did this failure influence his later writings and ideas?
Plato was invited to be a political advisor to a new ruler, Dionysius II in Syracuse, but Dionysius II didn’t listen to him/was an alcoholic. Dion overthrew Dionysius II with the help of Plato’s school, but was also a tyrant. They “traded a drunken tyrant for a sober tyrant”. As a result, Plato’s later works like Laws and the Statesman were a lot less idealistic and more focused on reality..
Compare Aristotle’s Lyceum to Plato’s Academy
Plato’s Academy was originally heavily based on Mathematics.
Lyceum had the first library, was heavily focoused on observation of the physical world. Places for dissection of specimens. The Parapatetics, “Wanderers” The first medical school.
