Creating the Good Society/Human Nature
Plato
A Greek philosopher who wrote The Republic and did not support democracy, but instead believed that society should be run by guardian philosopher kings–the wisest and most virtuous of the people. He supported deep class divisions
Bonus 100--what were some of the qualities that Greek thinkers prized most?
This religious thinker preached the doctrine of predestination and was a major component of Puritan thinking
John Calvin
Adam Smith supported which economic system?
Free market system--in Wealth of Nations
What 3 rights does John Locke describe when discussing 'natural rights'
Life, liberty, property
St Augustine
If Christian ideals were accepted, they would lead to the formation of a ‘City of God’, run by church leaders
Bonus 100: What were some of the qualities that Christian thinkers prized most?
This puritan leader spoke of two different kinds of liberty--civil and natural
John Winthrop
Bonus 50--describe each type of liberty
This man wrote about being self made. He encouraged hard work, and said God blessed those who were industrious. You choose your goals and you are free to meet them. Inequality is a natural part of the system.
Benjamin Franklin's "The Way to Wealth"
John Locke wrote "A Second treatise on government". What argument did he make concerning government power and legitimacy? (5 main points)
State of nature, no gov, natural rights
Social contract
Gov only protects rights
Gov power is legit from consent
If gov violate contract, people have right/duty to change/abolish/revolt
This philosopher thought humans were nasty and brutish and needed a strong central power to keep them in check. He outlined these thoughts in his book 'Leviathan'
Thomas Hobbes
John Cotton's main argument
Humans abuse liberty and need to have a limited, or ordered, liberty
Line up for expensive equality! Brennan and Jaworski reading (a response to Sandel's argument)
Define utilitarianism
The greatest happiness principle--government should do whatever will maximize the happiness of the people as a whole
This philosopher felt that humans were naturally good (using the term 'noble savages') but that institutions corrupted them (religious, governmental, etc)
Jean-Jacques Rosseau
Roger William's main argument
Still puritan, but government should not enforce a moral code. Religious tolerance.
Sandel–Jumping the Queue--what does he argue about markets?
Markets favor the rich, and queues are more egalitarian (more of an equal and fair way to allocate goods)
Utilitarianism according to Jeremy Bentham
All pains and pleasures can be measured on one scale, and that is how all decisions should be made. A pure utilitarian ideology
What did John Rawls suggest when it came to designing the Good Society?
He proposed a "Veil of Ignorance" placed over all who would design society so as to promote an equal and fair structure.
This thinker used the term "City upon a hill" to describe the Puritan colonist's goal for their settlement.
John Winthrop
Punching Steph Curry reading (Sperling)main argument
Markets should be structured in a way that promotes virtue and fairness)
John Stuart Mill's utilitarianism
Utilitarianism but with bounds--respecting individual rights will bring more utility in the long run, and there such a thing as higher and lower pleasures