Exam 8: Plato Apology

According to Hobbes, in the state of nature, "The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, have no place there. Where there is no common power, there is no enemy."

According to Wollstonecraft, "But that noble simplicity of affection, which dares to appear unadorned, has few attractions for the libertine, though it be the charm, which, by cementing the matrimonial tie, secures to the pledges of a warmer passion the necessary parental attention; for children will never be properly educated till ___________ subsists between parents."

Locke says, "The inconveniencies that they are therein exposed to by the irregular and uncertain exercise of the power every man has of punishing the transgressions of others, make them take sanctuary under the established laws of government, and therein seek the preservation of their property. It is this that makes them so willingly give up every one his single power of punishing to be exercised by such alone as shall be appointed to it amongst them, and by such rules as the community, or those authorized by them to that purpose, shall agree on. And in this we have the original right and rise of both the legislative and executive power as well as of the governments and societies themselves." Do you agree with Locke? Explain your answer.

Macaulay tells us that "If the French people therefore should be so capricious as to fling off their new constitution, and subject themselves to more unequal forms of government, or even to tyranny, it will be agreeable to the course of past experience. But such an exertion of power cannot injure their right; and whatever form or complexion any future government in France may bear, it can have no legitimate source, but in the ..."

Locke says, "This makes him willing to quit this condition which, however free, is full of fears and continual dangers; and it is not without reason that he seeks out and is willing to join in society with others who are already united, or have a mind to unite for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name …"

Macaulay tells us that "That the people have often abused their power, it must be granted; for they have often sacrificed themselves and their posterity to the wanton will of an individual, and this is the foundation of all the regal tyrannies which have subsisted in society." Do you agree with Macaulay? Explain your answer.

Explain what Dewey means when he says, "The political and governmental phase of democracy is a means, the best means so far found, for realizing ends that lie in the wide domain of human relationships and the development of human personality. It is, as we often say, though perhaps without appreciating all that is involved in the saying, a way of life, social and individual."

Macaulay tells us that "we cannot with any grounds of reason or propriety, set up our own _____________ as the model which all other nations ought implicitly to follow, unless we are certain that it bestows the greatest possible happiness on the people which in the nature of things any government can bestow."

In the reading, Socrates says, "I went to the poets; I am almost ashamed to speak of this, but still I must say that there is hardly a person present who would not have talked better about their poetry than they did themselves. That showed me in an instant that not by chance do poets write poetry, but by a sort of genius and inspiration; they are like diviners or soothsayers who also say many fine things, but do not understand the meaning of them."

According to Hobbes, "That a man is willing, when others are so too, for _______ and defense of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down this right to all things, and be content with so much liberty against other men as he would allow other men against himself."

In the reading, Socrates confronts Meletus's charge that Socrates "corrupts the youth." Meletus then claims that Socrates is a complete atheist. Discuss how Socrates interrogates Meletus over this charge against Socrates.

In the reading, Socrates discusses whether his escape from prison would be ...

Rorty tells us that, "The cash value of the Christian ideal of universal brotherhood has, for the last two centuries, been the conviction that once science and technology have produced enough wealth-and enlightened, unselfish political initiatives have redistributed it-there will be no one left who is incapable of tenderness."

If you were Socrates, and if you were offered an escape from the death sentence, would you accept it? Explain your answer.

Explain what Wollstonecraft means when she says, "Yet, true voluptuousness must proceed from the mind-for what can equal the sensations produced by mutual affection, supported by mutual respect? What are the cold or feverish caresses of appetite, but sin embracing death, compared with the modest overflowings of a pure heart and exalted imagination?"

According to Dewey, "The development of political democracy came about through substitution of the method of mutual consultation and voluntary agreement for the method of subordination of the many to the few enforced from above. Social arrangements which involve fixed subordination are maintained by ..."

Macaulay tells us that "Our parliaments ought to have been eminently distinguished for their integrity, and a total independence of any ..."

According to Wollstonecraft, "From the _______________, I firmly believe, the greater number of female follies proceed; and the cunning, which I allow, makes at present a part of their character, I likewise have repeatedly endeavored to prove, is produced by oppression."

Green tells us that "Unlike androgyny, parity does not automatically result in an outright conflict between feminism and liberalism's commitment to a sphere of disparate discourse."

Explain what Mill means when he says, "the people, consequently, may desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this, as against any other abuse of power... thus the tyranny of the majority is now generally included among the evils against which society requires to be on its guard." Do you agree with Mill?