(no subject)
I have a mid-term due on the 18th in "Introduction to Political
Theory." Two essay questions may not seem like a lot, but each essay
must be 5-6 pages, typed, double-spaced, and 12 point font. Any insight
into the following questions would be greatly appreciated. In fact, I
will take you out to dinner if you want... I am serious. I mean, don't
just not give advice because you feel uncomfortable about such a large
reward for just a fucking comment... it just means that much to me.
We used the following texts thus far in class:
I cannot answer both 2 and 3. 4 is worth 55%.
1. Discuss and analyze Aristotle's definition of political science in detail. Compare it with what Socrates teaches us about politics.
2. Discuss the issue of civil disobedience in relationship to conscientious objectors using the following texts: Plato's The Trial and Death of Socrates; Thoreau's "On Civil Disobedience"; and Arendt's "Civil Disobedience." Be sure to think of these three texts together. That is, you must evaluate the texts in terms of the different arguments made, rather than merely giving a report of what each one says. End with a critical assessment of the problem as you have understood it from these three texts.
3. Compose a "trial-scene" in which some SDS students are the defendants; the prosecutor is Socrates; and the defense lawyer is Hannah Arendt. Imagine that you are acting as court reporter.
4.
Congress shall make no law repecting the establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Arendt argues (p. 101) that a new constitutional amendment which clarifies the right of association (as guaranteed by the First Amendment) may be the best solution to the "crisis" of civil disobedience in this country. Discuss her analysis of this problem in detail, ending with a draft proposal for such a constitutional amendment. Remember that "'the law cannot justify the violation of the law,' even if this violation aims at preventing the violation of another law" (pages 99 and 53).
5. What do Socrates and Thoreau say about the effect of wealth on virtue? How are their beliefs similar to or different from the arguments made by SDS in the Port Huron Statement? Do you agree with these thinkers? What actions would you advocate to counter the influence of wealth: those of Socrates, Thoreau, SDS, or something else?
6. Socrates argues that "A man who really fights for justice must lead a private, not public, life if he is to survive for even a short time" (pg. 34) Thoreau seems to posit a similar notion. Describe the reasoning behind each philosopher's justification of their particular "private life." Contrast it with SDS's understanding of how to bring about a just society. With which position do you most agree? Why?
7. Socrates calls himself a "gadfly" ("Apology", p. 33) and a "midwife of ideas" (Theaetetus, pgs. 854-855). What is the meaning of these two images (including the meaning they have for the political life of the Athenian polis)? How, if at all, do these images relate to the prosecution of Socrates and his death sentence? What might Thoreau and Arendt think of these images?
Even if you don't really know much about the texts, you can atleast PLEASE start discussion here on the subjects, and maybe something will spark in my mind. Thank you.
We used the following texts thus far in class:
- pgs. 63-67 and 73-88 of "The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle" (Thomson translation, Penguin Books, 1976... that is, from the beginning of I:The Object of Life to the end of "Learners must start from beliefs that are accepted or at least familiar", and from "What is the Good for man? It must be the ultimate end or object of human life: something that is in itself completely satisfying. Happiness fits this description" to the end of "To understand what moral goodness is we must study the soul of man")
- The Trial and Death of Socrates (Grube Translation)- "Apology", "Crito", and "Phaedo (Death Scene)"
- "Plato: Colleted Dialogues", Theaetetus, ed. Hamilton and Cairns, Princeton University Press, 1982, pgs. 853-856 (148d through 151d)
- Thoreau, "On The Duty of Civil Disobedience"
- Recommended reading (which I wasn't able to do): Jonathan Schell, The Unconquerable World
- SDS, "Port Huron Statement" You may enjoy reading this anyway.
- Recommended reading (which I wasn't able to do): Civil Disobediences: Poetics and Politics in Action edited by Anne Waldman and Lisa Birman
- Hannah Arendt, Crises of the Republic- "Civil Disobedience" (the most difficult reading)
- Video: "Rebels With A Cause", about the establishment and history of The Students for a Democratic Society
I cannot answer both 2 and 3. 4 is worth 55%.
1. Discuss and analyze Aristotle's definition of political science in detail. Compare it with what Socrates teaches us about politics.
2. Discuss the issue of civil disobedience in relationship to conscientious objectors using the following texts: Plato's The Trial and Death of Socrates; Thoreau's "On Civil Disobedience"; and Arendt's "Civil Disobedience." Be sure to think of these three texts together. That is, you must evaluate the texts in terms of the different arguments made, rather than merely giving a report of what each one says. End with a critical assessment of the problem as you have understood it from these three texts.
3. Compose a "trial-scene" in which some SDS students are the defendants; the prosecutor is Socrates; and the defense lawyer is Hannah Arendt. Imagine that you are acting as court reporter.
4.
Congress shall make no law repecting the establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Arendt argues (p. 101) that a new constitutional amendment which clarifies the right of association (as guaranteed by the First Amendment) may be the best solution to the "crisis" of civil disobedience in this country. Discuss her analysis of this problem in detail, ending with a draft proposal for such a constitutional amendment. Remember that "'the law cannot justify the violation of the law,' even if this violation aims at preventing the violation of another law" (pages 99 and 53).
5. What do Socrates and Thoreau say about the effect of wealth on virtue? How are their beliefs similar to or different from the arguments made by SDS in the Port Huron Statement? Do you agree with these thinkers? What actions would you advocate to counter the influence of wealth: those of Socrates, Thoreau, SDS, or something else?
6. Socrates argues that "A man who really fights for justice must lead a private, not public, life if he is to survive for even a short time" (pg. 34) Thoreau seems to posit a similar notion. Describe the reasoning behind each philosopher's justification of their particular "private life." Contrast it with SDS's understanding of how to bring about a just society. With which position do you most agree? Why?
7. Socrates calls himself a "gadfly" ("Apology", p. 33) and a "midwife of ideas" (Theaetetus, pgs. 854-855). What is the meaning of these two images (including the meaning they have for the political life of the Athenian polis)? How, if at all, do these images relate to the prosecution of Socrates and his death sentence? What might Thoreau and Arendt think of these images?
Even if you don't really know much about the texts, you can atleast PLEASE start discussion here on the subjects, and maybe something will spark in my mind. Thank you.