Intro
Where did Estella go to university in the US?
The University of Oregon
What are the three distinct social classes that Plato outlines in his ideal state and describe briefly each group.
The Producers' class (farmers, artisans, merchants), the Auxiliary Guardians' class (defense), and the Guardians or Rulers' class (governing).
Individuals should give up what in exchange for security and survival?
freedom
What three natural rights are guaranteed to everyone according to Locke?
Life, liberty, and property.
Who does Rousseau most agree with and who is he most opposite of?
He aligns most with the views of Locke and is most opposed to Hobbes.
Plato says that rulers will be picked from what group of people?
What is the objective of the state?
To guarantee collective happiness, which can only e achieved by organizing a just society.
Hobbes believes humans are naturally what?
selfish
What is Locke's ideal form of government?
A liberal democracy
Who or what corrupts humans according to Rousseau?
Society, which instills selfish and individualistic values
The theory of a social contract justifies ________ to political authority, law, and the state.
obedience
What are the rules for the families of the auxiliary guardians and rulers?
Both the auxiliary guardians and the rulers are forbidden from having families and private property. Their children will be cared for by the State and will not belong to their parents. The goal is to prevent them from becoming selfish and from having concerns other than serving the State.
What is Hobbes' ideal form of government and what does it ensure?
An absolute monarchy in an authoritarian or absolutist state ensures social order and peace.
What is the duty of the citizens in Locke's view?
Citizens must monitor their rulers to prevent abuses of power and replace them if necessary.
Explain general will and what it means to Rousseau.
It's his ideal vision of the state, where decisions are made by all citizens.
General will means that the social contract becomes a means of ensuring individual freedom while maintaining equality among people by guaranteeing their education and health.
What are Plato's rules for rulers?
To become a ruler, one must undergo a rigorous educational process that will not conclude before the age of 50. Rulers will take turns in power, dedicating themselves to philosophy during the periods when they are free from government duties.
What is the importance of reason in Plato's guidelines for rulers?
Just as an individual must be controlled by reason because it is their superior part, society must be governed by those most endowed with reason, as they will be the ones capable of attaining wisdom and steering the State properly.
Explain what Hobbes means by a "social contract".
Individuals must give up some of their freedoms to ensure the safety of all.
People establish a pact to create a state that guarantees what?
That others are not deprived of basic rights.
Rousseau views private property as what?
The root of inequality, corruption, and conflict among human beings.
What is the difference between the state of nature and the social state?
The state of nature is a description of human life as it would be in a natural, ideal, and hypothetical situation before the emergence of the political state. The social state is when the natural state becomes unsustainable, people are compelled to organize themselves based on a pact or agreement, known as the "social contract."
What does Plato consider to be justice?
Ultimately, justice in society consists of each person dedicating themselves to the function or task for which they are best prepared and most capable. Justice exists when there is harmony among social classes, and each performs its designated function appropriately.
What is the relationship that humans will have with laws?
Overwhelmed by the insecurity of life in the state of nature, humans will realize that laws are necessary and that they only make sense if everyone accepts and follows them.
How does Locke suggest power be divided?
Different branches of power must be able to check each other. Legislative power rests with the people through a parliamentary assembly, while executive power is held by a democratically elected ruler who must always abide by the law.
Explain what is meant by "noble savages" according to Rousseau.
In the state of nature, humans live as "noble savages," satisfying their needs with what nature provides. Everyone is equal, the society is egalitarian.