Civics, Semester One Final (Study Guide) In class:

- Politics- the discipline of resolving conflicts by means of talk, not force - Purpose of politics to inculcate a love for ones country - Patriotism- love for ones country -problems -flag and country -disdain for country -college students protesting - Nationalism- an individual identifying themselves with their country - my country, right or wrong - Problems - The same principle applies within the state- resulting in factions - The nationalist has no solution to the inevitable outcome of his beliefs - Cosmopolitanism- moral duties have no connection to national boundaries (United Nations) - Problems - replaces politics with morality -different presuppositions/ worldviews -the strong/ majority decide morality

- Its supporters want international laws -local laws are needed to enforce specific cultural problems

Platos Apology:
- Events leading to Socrates trial i. accused of being a friend to the 30 oligarchs ii. accused of being an atheist iii. accused of corrupting the youth of Athens iv. jury verdict near even; condemned to death - What kind of citizen does Socrates want? Why? - he wants verbal, rather than militial, combat, to ensure that the best arguments win, not the most powerful army - Socrates defense: - I was trying to find a wiser man than I -wise were shown to be not wise by Socrates questions: unexamined life is not worth living - he couldnt find one, and he made enemies by making people look bad -Socrates gives credit to the gods proving that he is not an atheist (Oracle of Delphi: Apollo)

Crito
- Does Socrates promote civil disobedience? Why not? i. No- because it cheapens the integrity of the law ii. to disobey one law is to will the destruction of the entire order

Platos Republic
- Problems with different definitions of justice: speaking the truth and paying your debts doesnt go in deep enough, ambiguous; works as a principle not a specific doing good to your friends and bad to your enemies too relative justice is the interest of the stronger the strong err too, so when they its not in their interest anymore, and therefore, unjust. - Why does Plato recommend philosopher kings? - they are the only ones who understand the World of the Forms - they are ruled by truth, beauty, and goodness, so they are infallible - How is the rest of society classified, and why cant they rule? - Workers/Merchants are ruled by appetite and spirit, and are thus fallible - What other conditions are put upon the government of the perfect city? Why? - Control the passions by 1. Restricting private property ownership 2. Abolishing the family

3. Establishing philosopher kings

Aristotle
- How should laws be determined and why? - in accordance with natural laws - must be equitable (equality based off amount) - natural laws are never purely natural, so the determination of laws depends upon conventional and particular considerations - Explain how Aristotle believes in moral absolutes - he recognizes them in the Rhetoric, when he cites Antigone he seems to view bury ones blood relation as an absolute prescription of the natural law.

Aquinas
- Aquinas presuppositions: i. mans reason is not totally depraved ii. man will automatically pursue good over evil - How do these affect his understanding/application of the nat. law? i. he says natural law can be known w/o special revelation from God ii. Humans cannot fully know the eternal law, so they invent positive or, man made laws to supplement, but not contradict the precepts of the natural law. iii. only the positive laws that do not contradict the natural law are truly laws, and must therefore be obeyed.

iv. positive laws against natural laws are irrational, and are not laws, but they may be obeyed for prudential reasons. - What problems does he raise? i. we can justify tyranny and dictatorship with his assumptions ii. natural law can be known w/o special revelation iii. Reason is not affected by sin iv. Anyone can decide laws: Everyone can have a different opinion on law but everyone can still be right (relativism) - How would he compare to Calvin? i. Calvin: man was totally depraved, and spec. rev. is the only thing that gives us nat. laws Aquinas: mans reason isnt totally fallen, and we dont need spec. rev to see nat. laws