Critical Research Paper
on Philosophy
Essay
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Questions for the
First Critical Research Paper
1) If
you were a member of the Athenian jury at the trial of Socrates how would you
have voted (guilty, or not guilty) and why? In constructing your answer be sure
to speak to the political and historical situation at this time, the charges
against Socrates, and the content of Plato’s Apology which presents the main arguments of Socrates’ defense
speech. Finally, what in your opinion are the larger political and
philosophical lessons of the trial of Socrates?
2) Is
justice conventional or natural? In the first two books of Plato’s Republic all of the participants believe
that justice is conventional or political. Only Socrates believes that justice
is the natural fulfillment of human nature.
Explain the conventional vs. the natural arguments for justice as you
understand them. In your informed opinion, is justice more of a conventional or
political idea, or does it speak to something more universal? Finally, define
your idea of justice. Justice is ……? Justify your definition of justice.
3) Explain
the main parts of Plato’s utopian model of the ideal city-state in the
Republic. Identify what you believe to be the main strengths and also the main
weaknesses of this model, and explain why. Why does Plato believe his model
would work? Or does he? Do you believe it would work (perhaps with a few
adjustments)? Finally, while Plato designed his ideal model in order to
communicate to his fellow ancient Athenians the need for serious reforms of
their society, are some of his suggestions and beliefs relevant to the modern
world we live in today?
4) Why
was Plato so critical of democracy? Explain both his philosophical and
political opposition to democracy as both a way of life and a political model
of governance. Why does democracy rate so low on Plato’s scale of preferred
political regimes? Is Plato’s rejection of democracy justified in your reasoned
opinion? Can you muster a strong argument in response to Plato proving the
superiority of democracy to his ideal of elite rule by wise philosophers?
5) In
his Politics, Aristotle spends a lot
of time focusing on the distinction and relationship between private life (the
household) and the public life of the citizen. Explain Aristotle’s view of
private and public life and why he believes it is important. Which aspects of his views do you think are
outdated and why? Compare and contrast Aristotle’s idea of citizenship with the
modern requirements for citizenship in today’s democratic society. Can we learn
anything from the importance Aristotle gives to the ideal of citizenship?
6) Aristotle
called his ideal political model the “polity.” What are the main elements that
make up this ideal model? Then critically compare and contrast the main
features of both Plato’s and Aristotle’s ideal political models. Is Aristotle’s
model an improvement over Plato’s ideal model? If so, why?
Questions for the Second Critical Research Paper
1) Summarize
the central concepts and principles of Machiavelli’s political teaching. What “advice” given by Machiavelli to the
statesman in The Prince is still
relevant to contemporary politics? What “advice” is not relevant at all to
present day politics? Be specific with your examples and be sure to give
reasons why your chosen examples of modern politics validate or do not validate
Machiavelli’s key ideas or advice.
2) The
political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan (1651) consists of 3 major
steps in his logical argument – step 1 – the state of nature; step 2 – the
covenant or social contract; step 3 – the creation of a sovereign state and
definition of its authority and obligations. Which step (or steps) in his
argument are the most convincing in your informed opinion and why? Which step
(or steps) are the least convincing and why?
3) John
Locke’s political philosophy of liberalism in his Second Treatise (1689) sought to improve upon Hobbes’s attempt to
reconcile individual liberty and sovereign authority. Point out as many
differences as you can find between Locke’s political theory and that of
Hobbes. Choose one difference that you agree with Locke on and one difference
you agree with Hobbes on and then explain why in much more detail.
4) Why
was Locke confident that effective and legitimate government could be limited?
What specific mechanisms in his model of government limit its power? Do you believe
the way the world operates today that we can effectively function with a very
limited government? Why or why not?
5) Compare
the main features of Locke’s model of government with the model of government
designed by the American Founding Fathers and written into the United States
Constitution. Evaluate key similarities and differences between Locke and the
U.S. Constitution. Finally, which aspects of the U.S. Constitution do you think
are obsolete or do not work well in the 21st century world? Why?
Questions
for the Third Critical Research Paper
1) Jean-Jacques
Rousseau believed that human nature was essentially good and that civilization,
in particular modern civilization, had a corrupting influence on human
behavior. Explain how and why Rousseau
believed this. What was his idea of human nature? How and why does modern
civilization, in Rousseau’s opinion, turn us into aggressive, self-centered,
status seeking, money and consumer oriented people? Do you agree with Rousseau?
Finally, do you think it is possible to live a simple, relatively self-sufficient
life close to nature?
2) Rousseau’s
political theory was developed as an alternative to the dominant forces of
modern political life – liberalism and capitalism. Compare and contrast
Rousseau’s main political ideas with those of modern liberalism. Which ideas of
Rousseau have merit in your opinion and why? Which of his ideas fail to convince you in
their critique of liberal capitalism and why?
3) Rousseau’s
ideal political vision involved creating a political community that was small,
largely agrarian and artisan based (non-industrial), and that valued community
and equality over individual liberty. The heart and regulative force of this
ideal community was realized in his idea of “the general will.” Explain
Rousseau’s idea of the general will. How does it work? Do you think Rousseau’s
ideal community would work? Why or why not?
4) Explain,
using Marx’s main concepts and analysis, why he was convinced that capitalism
is both unjust and historically destined to collapse from its internal
contradictions? Do you agree with his analysis? Since capitalism is alive and
well, why do you think it has survived longer than Marx probably thought it
would?
5) Why
did Marx believe that socialism was ethically, economically, and politically
superior to liberal capitalism? Do you
find his arguments in favor of socialism convincing? Why?
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