. QUESTIONS

(1a) Which values should one extol, cherish, apply, or seek in one’s lives—that of Pericles’ honor, courage and freedom or those of Plato—justice, courage, wisdom, and temperance? Why? (1b) Which ones would lead to becoming a better citizen? And why? (1c) Which ones would lead to a more ‘flourishing’ (or better) state (country) and WHY? *1d) Which ones would lead to becoming a better ruler, king, or president (presently)? And why? (1e) Explain if these qualities should be taught by the state? If not, WHY? (1f) If so, then what should be the state’s role in enhancing the citizen’s quality of life? Explain your answers fully and if possible use examples and quotes from the text. RED denotes change.

(2a) Compare the political thought of power between Pericles (in his ‘Funeral Oration’) and Plato (in his Republic)? (2b) Which one do you agree with? (2c) Make sure you explain where power comes from AND how is this power is projected onto its citizens. (2d) Which of the two versions of the concept of power should a state (country) follow? And why? Explain your answers fully and if possible use examples and quotes from the text. RED denotes elaboration.

(3a) Explain the nature of wisdom and courage in a state (also give examples from the text) according to Socrates in Plato’s Republic. (3b) Which one should a state (country) have? And why? (3c) Should (all or some of) these qualities reside in ‘guardians’ or in more contemporary times, in our politicians and leaders? Why or why not? *(3d) Explain which ones seem to be more important than others. RED denotes elaboration.

*Notice the difference between questions 3c and 1d. Question 1d asks which ones actually (in realist terms) help a leader and implies the explanation of both Pericles’ and Plato’s qualities. Question 3c asks which ones ought or should reside (in idealist terms) in our leaders of today AND only asks of those spoken by Socrates in Plato’s Republic.

(4a) Explain the differences between Plato and Aristotle over the concepts of governance, the attributes of the polis, and the power of the state. Please give examples from the text. Explain in your own words (4b) how and what group should govern the masses? (4c) Does a diverse or united polity make a difference for the betterment of the state? (4d) Where should the power of the state reside in—society (the political community), economics, or politics and why?

Consider Aristotle’s best kind of government and the perfect state. (5a) First, define these. (5b) Second, if these hold true, are citizens responsible for the state or is it the state’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of its citizens? Why or why not? (5c) Finally, does good government require obedience and the goodness of the laws or as Diodotus stated ‘good administration’? Explain your answer fully.

(6a) Per Aquinas, what conditions must be met to conduct a just war? (6b) Can these conditions be met? WHY or WHY not? (6c) Should these conditions be standard application for the conduct of war, viewed as guidelines, or abolished, reformulated, or replaced? Explain your answer. (6d) Explain how it may be lawful to defend oneself per Aquinas? (6e) May these types of self-defense ‘rules’ apply to international law? In other words, may a state justify violent aggression on the grounds of self-defense in any circumstance (i.e., pre-emptive strike/invasion, reclamation of lost territory/population, or safeguarding resources from monopolization of other countries)?

(7a) Machiavelli — How does Machiavelli’s views compare with those of the ancient philosophes? (7b) Who was Machiavelli’s the Prince written to and WHY? (7c) In his treatise on how to maintain power, what did Machiavelli believe a prince should do to organize a new state? (7d) Should a prince abide by virtue or vice and WHY? (7e) And should the prince keep his word? WHY or WHY not? Finally, (7f) If you were to become a foreign policy adviser to anyone in power, would you choose Machiavelli’s approach OR not? WHY or WHY not?? RED denotes change.

C. SOURCES

When using examples or illustrations, please add parentheses and insert source. Example: Aristotle states that “liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.” OR

Example: Although “liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy,” other scholars differ in their definition (Aristotle).

If you use a source outside of Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, or Aquinas, you MUST fully cite (author AND page) the source using MLA, APA, or Turabian (Chicago-Style) format. I prefer Turabian.