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Prof.
Sammy Basu POLI
212(TH) WESTERN
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY |
REVIEW for (40%) Exam 3 – on
Mill, and cumulative and comparative analysis of entire course. |
Thinking Historically about
the History of Western Political Philosophy
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& especially |
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PLATO (428-348BC) |
ARISTOTLE |
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI |
THOMAS HOBBES (1588-1679) |
JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704) |
JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU (1712-1778) |
JOHN STUART MILL (1806-1873) |
Be familiar with the important features
of author, text, and context, for
each philosopher.
What
is Political Philosophy?
¤ Explain how the epistemology of a
given philosopher results in their views about politics. ¤ Explain
how the philosophical anthropology of a given philosopher results in their views
about politics. |
What
is historiography?
¤ How is Ômainstream historyÕ
conducted, and what are the problems with its assumptions and preoccupations? ¤ Be prepared to explain and exemplify,
using the authors studied in this course, the assumptions and preoccupations
of each of the four historical schools. ¤ Be prepared to demonstrate and
discuss how the same philosopher, and his text(s) in context, look different
to each of the four historical schools. ¤ How do the four historical schools
arrange our philosophers on a spectrum from villain to hero? |
The
Four historical schools
1. Whig History
2. Marxist history
3. Gender history
4. Postmodern history
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villain |
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Neutral/ ambivalent |
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hero |
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Whig |
YR, P, H |
OR |
NM |
A, JSM |
L |
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Marxist |
L |
P, A, JSM, NM |
H, |
OR |
YR |
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Fem/Gend |
R, A, NM |
H |
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L |
P, JSM |
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PoMo |
L |
P, A |
H, NM |
JSM |
YR |
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Identify each of the following individuals,
scenes, situations (from pictures). Identify the following concepts by placing a P A NM H L R JSM next to each of the items
with which they are most closely associated. |
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For each of the following
passages, identify the author and briefly explain (donÕt just re-state) the
significance of the passage in relation to the authorÕs larger arguments, and
the relevant historical context. |
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On
John Stuart Mill: Be familiar with both his
Ôvery simple principleÕ and the various caveats or conditions or
qualifications that affect when he thinks the principle is relevant and how
it should be applied. Be familiar with his
arguments against the subjection of women and the counter-arguments he was
trying to refute. Be familiar with how the
other philosophers figure in his own thinking. |
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Short
Essay questions. Questions will address
larger issues raised by one, several or even all seven philosophers, 1.
if the City of Salem was a
polity, where would each of our philosophers prefer to spend his time and
recommend that others do likewise?
Explain why with reference to the view of the optimal way of life each
promotes. |
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2.
comparative questions in which you compare, contrast and critique two or more
of our philosophers on specific matters. E.g. What is the purpose of
politics? What is our human nature? What is the role/place of
religion? |
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3.
questions on the relevance of particular philosophers to specific aspects of
contemporary life in America. How
would a given philosopher analyze and interpret a particular excerpt from the
current news? Or a specific cartoon depicting some controversy? |
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Better answers are ones
in which you take the time to articulate and then refute potential
counterarguments to your own interpretation of the philosopher in question or
argument. |
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What
is the relationship between the arrangement of political power and the
optimally healthy polity? And again |
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Best? prosperity longevity stability |
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Degree
of Authority |
