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Flashcards in Polictical Theory: Ancient Deck (11)
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1
Q

Define “Prescriptive”

A

Political philosophers that suggest how everything should be ran and structured

2
Q

Define “Analytical”

A

Political philosophers looking to see why our political relations function the way they do.

3
Q

Basic points about political theory

A
  • It’s not about declaring a winner in a political debate
  • Its about building a cannon of knowledge
  • Its about accepting that we need to change the way we think, according to the changing circumstances of our own political environment.
4
Q

Basic facts about Plato & Aristotle

A
  • Their ideas created the basis for the next 2,000 years
  • Asked questions like “How do we live the good life”
  • Plato saw when Athens was under threat that politics wasn’t working properly
  • Plato and Aristotle disagreed on “Direct Democracy”
5
Q

Define “Oligarchy”

A
  • Rule of the few

- A county ruled by few ppl

6
Q

City States

A

Divisions (Athens was one city state)

7
Q

Define “Direct Democracy”

A

You represent yourself.
No political representatives
-Lots of people engaged in direct democracy in ancient Greece
-Direct democracy is one of the main reasons why Athens fell
-After Athens fell Plato suggested that Direct Democracy doesn’t work and that we needed to be represented

8
Q

What are some basic points of Plato’s philosophy?

A
  • Questioned Direct Democracy
  • Debated “What is right”
  • Proposed social and political justice through a state organized according to individuals capabilities and personalities
  • The government would be ran according to deep philosophical thought and contemplative reason
9
Q

What are some basic points of Aristotle’s theory?

A
  • Was Plato’s student
  • A philosopher of the possible
  • Wanted to establish a link between ethics and politics, to seek “the good”
  • The community came before the individual
  • Individual can only prosper in a good community
  • Politics is fundamental to ethics
  • Hugh emphasis on whats good for society (now days people are like “what can society do for me”)
  • Aristotle believed that slaves should do household work so people can participate in the political assembly
  • Believed that women lack the rational capacity
10
Q

What is the main difference between Plato and Aristotle?

A

Plato: Abstract logic

Aristotle: Observation

11
Q

What are two different kinds of political theory philosopher types?

A
  1. Prescriptive

2. Analytical