HUM2551 Ancient to Medieval Philosophy Exam 1 Study Guide PDF
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This study guide covers key concepts from ancient and medieval philosophy, focusing on the contexts of Pericles' Funeral Oration, the Melian Dialogue, and Socrates' trial. It outlines the arguments and charges, and Socrates' response. It will help students prepare for an exam.
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HUM2551: Survey of Ancient to Medieval Philosophy Exam 1 Study Guide 1. W hat is the context of Pericles’ Funeral Oration? How does the speech represent views on good leadership and civic virtue? he context of Pericles' Funeral Oration is durin...
HUM2551: Survey of Ancient to Medieval Philosophy Exam 1 Study Guide 1. W hat is the context of Pericles’ Funeral Oration? How does the speech represent views on good leadership and civic virtue? he context of Pericles' Funeral Oration is during the Peloponnesian War, T following a tradition of honoring Athenian soldiers who had died in battle. Pericles used the speech not only to commemorate the dead but also to praise the values of democracy and the virtues of Athenian society. He emphasizes that good leadership involves promoting the welfare of the whole city-state and civic virtue is achieved through active participation in public life, courage in battle, and loyalty to democratic ideals. 2. W hat is the context of the Melian Dialogue? Explain how it represents political realism. The Melian Dialogue occurs during the Peloponnesian War, where the Athenians eek to force the small island of Melos to surrender. The Athenians argue that might s makes right, advocating a form of political realism—where power and self-interest dictate international relations, and moral or ethical considerations are secondary. This dialogue represents the harsh, pragmatic view that weaker states have little choice in the face of stronger powers. 3. H ow do the Athenians’ arguments for honor in Melos’ surrender contrast with the values of their own society expressed by Pericles in the Funeral Oration? In the Melian Dialogue, the Athenians dismiss morality and justice, focusing instead on power and self-preservation. This contrasts with Pericles' Funeral Oration, where Athens is portrayed as a model of virtue, democracy, and justice. The dialogue highlights a more cynical view of Athenian behavior, emphasizing realpolitik over the idealistic vision of civic virtue and honor presented by Pericles. 4. W hat are the charges against Socrates? (Note: Socrates mentions old/informal and new/formal charges.) he old/informal charges against Socrates are that he corrupts the youth and T does not believe in the gods of the city. The new/formal charges, presented in his trial, are that he corrupts the youth and introduces new gods, or rather, that he believes in different spiritual entities than those sanctioned by the state. 5. H ow does Socrates respond to each of the charges? In other words, what are the arguments he develops in response to each charge? ocrates responds to the charge of corrupting the youth by questioning whether S anyone would intentionally harm those around them, knowing it would ultimately harm themselves as well. He argues that if he has corrupted the youth, it must have been unintentional, and thus he should be taught, not punished. Regarding the accusation of not believing in the gods, he clarifies that he does believe in divine entities, but these may not align with the traditional Athenian view, questioning the inconsistency in his accusers' claims. 6. Is Socrates found guilty of the charges? Is it a close vote? Yes, Socrates is found guilty of the charges. The vote is relatively close, with 280 jurors voting for guilt and 220 for acquittal. 7. W hat kinds of sentences are proposed for Socrates? What does Socrates propose should be his sentence? The prosecution proposes the death penalty for Socrates. In response, Socrates uggests that instead of punishment, he should be rewarded with free meals for life, as s he believes he has benefited the city. When pushed to propose a more serious alternative, he suggests a fine, which is ultimately rejected by the jury. 8. W hat is Socrates’ sentence? Is it a close vote? What is significant (or concerning) about this? ocrates is sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. The vote for his sentence is S less close than the initial vote for his guilt, suggesting that once he was found guilty, many jurors were more inclined to support the harshest punishment. This shift in voting reflects the rigidity of the judicial process and the intolerance for dissenting voices. 9. H ow does Socrates respond to his sentence, in action and in word (Apology not Crito)? In his response, Socrates remains calm and steadfast in his beliefs. He reiterates his commitment to seeking truth and wisdom, even in the face of death. Socrates accepts his sentence with composure, emphasizing that death is not to be feared, as it is either a peaceful nothingness or a transition to another form of existence. 10.How does Crito get inside the prison to see Socrates? What is significant or ironic about this? rito likely gains entry to the prison by bribing the guards, a common practice in ancient C Athens. The irony lies in the fact that Crito, who is trying to convince Socrates to escape an unjust sentence, uses corruption and bribery—methods that contradict Socratic ideals of justice and integrity. 11.What is Socrates doing when Crito arrives? What is Crito surprised by this? When Crito arrives, Socrates is sleeping peacefully, which surprises Crito. Crito is stonished that Socrates can sleep so calmly when facing imminent death, reflecting a Socrates’ unshakable sense of peace and philosophical detachment. 12.What specific reasons does Crito offer in trying to convince Socrates to escape? How does Socrates respond? How do their differing evaluations of what counts as a good reason reveal differences in their characters? rito argues that Socrates' death would bring shame on his friends for not saving C him, and he believes that Socrates has an obligation to his children and followers to stay alive. Socrates, however, responds that one must not return injustice with injustice, and that the laws and principles of the state must be respected, even if the outcome is unfavorable. This difference in reasoning highlights Crito’s practical, emotional concerns, while Socrates focuses on ethical consistency and philosophical ideals. 13.Explain the details of Socrates’ ‘social contract’ argument. ocrates’ social contract argument suggests that by living in Athens and S benefiting from its laws and institutions, he has implicitly agreed to abide by those laws, ven when they result in his own condemnation. Escaping would break this contract and e undermine the legal structure of the city, something , Socrates is unwilling to do. 14.What accounts of justice are offered and examined in book 1 of the Republic? How is Thrasymachus’ account of justice another example of political realism? In book 1 of theRepublic, justice is debated by several interlocutors, with Thrasymachus arguing that justice is simply the advantage of the stronger, meaning that rulers make laws to serve their own interests. This view reflects political realism, as it dismisses moral considerations in favor of pragmatic power dynamics. 15.What are the three classes in the kallipolis that Socrates and his interlocutors develop, and what virtues are found in each class? What is justice, according to the Republic? he three classes in the kallipolis are the rulers (philosopher-kings), the T guardians (soldiers), and the producers (craftsmen and farmers). The rulers embody wisdom, the guardians embody courage, and the producers embody moderation. Justice, according to theRepublic, is each class performing its appropriate role and not interfering with the functions of the other classes. 16.What kind of regime is the kallipolis? What would need to be true for it to come into existence, and why is this regime best? What is problematic with democracy in Plato’s view? he kallipolis is a meritocratic, hierarchical regime governed by T philosopher-kings. For it to come into existence, philosophers must become rulers, and society must prioritize wisdom and virtue over wealth and power. Plato sees this regime as best because it is governed by those with knowledge of the Forms and the Good. He views democracy as problematic because it allows unqualified individuals to hold power and can lead to chaos and tyranny. 17.Explain the sense in which Aristotle is properly considered a more practical thinker than Plato. Aristotle is considered more practical than Plato because, while Plato mphasizes ideal forms and utopian visions of society, Aristotle focuses on what is e achievable in the real world. Aristotle's political and ethical theories are grounded in bservation and experience, rather than abstract ideals, making him more attuned to the o complexities of human behavior and governance. 18.What is the telos or aim of an individual life, according to Aristotle? Of political life? ccording to Aristotle, the telos or aim of individual life is eudaimonia, or human A flourishing, achieved through the practice of virtue. The aim of political life is to create conditions that allow individuals to achieve this flourishing, primarily through the promotion of justice and the cultivation of virtuous citizens. 19.What is happiness, or human flourishing, according to Aristotle? What is virtue? appiness, or eudaimonia, according to Aristotle, is the highest good for H humans, involving the fulfillment of one’s potential and living in accordance with reason and virtue. Virtue is the mean between excess and deficiency, and it involves rational actions that align with a person's function, such as courage, temperance, and wisdom. 20.What kind of regime is the best possible, in Aristotle’s view? Explain as fully as you can. he best possible regime, in Aristotle’s view, is a mixed constitution that T combines elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. He argues for a polity where the middle class holds significant power because they are least likely to act in their own interests at the expense of others, and this balance promotes stability and fairness in the pursuit of the common good. Important Quotes and Descriptions Cephalus: Q uote: "A number of us... complain about the lost pleasures..." Description: Cephalus reflects on old age, suggestingthe ease of aging is not about the loss of pleasure but one's character and life lived. Thrasymachus: Q uote: "What nonsense... justice is the advantage of the stronger." Description: Thrasymachus criticizes Socrates' method and claims that justice serves the powerful. Glaucon: Q uote: "They say that to do injustice is naturally good..." Description: Glaucon presents the idea that justice is a social contract, arising from weakness rather than inherent goodness. Socrates: Q uote: "Thrasymachus... coiled himself up like a wild beast..." Description: This description captures Thrasymachus' aggressive approach in debate, reflecting the tension between philosophical ideals and power politics. Aristotle: Q uote: "Temperance and bravery are ruined by excess and deficiency..." Description: Aristotle explains that virtues are about finding the mean between extremes, key to achieving happiness. Plato: Q uote: "Until philosophers rule as kings... the constitution we've been describing will never be born..." Description: Plato advocates for philosopher-kings, arguing that wisdom is needed to create a just society. Aristotle: Q uote: "Human being is by nature a political animal. Anyone who cannot form a community with others, or who does not need to because he is self-sufficient, is no part of a city-state—he is either a beast or god. Hence, though an impulse toward this sort of community exists by nature in everyone, whoever first established one was responsible for the greatest of goods. For as a human being is the best of the animals when perfected, so when separated from law and justice he is worst of all...." Description: Aristotle emphasizes the natural humandrive toward political community and the consequences of living outside law and justice. Aristotle: Q uote: "The virtue of a citizen must be suited tohis constitution. Consequently, if indeed there are several kinds of constitution, it is clear that there cannot be a single virtue that is the virtue—the complete virtue—of a good citizen. Evidently, then, it is possible for someone to be a good citizen without having acquired the virtue expressed by a good man" (1276b20-35). Description: Aristotle argues that the virtue of a citizen is contingent on the political constitution, suggesting that the virtue of a good citizen may differ from that of a good person. Aristotle: Q uote: "By going through problems in a different way, the same argument can be made about the best constitution. If it is impossible for a city-state to consist entirely of good people, and if each must at least perform his own task well, and this requires virtue, and if it is impossible for all the citizens to be similar, then the virtue of a citizen and that of a good man cannot be a single virtue" (1276b35-40). Description: Aristotle continues to explore the distinction between the virtue of a citizen and the virtue of a good person, particularly in the context of the best constitution.
