Ancient Medieval Thinkers - Comprehensive Philosophy Knowledge Required - Assignment Example

1. The "Republic" is best-known for its claim that the best kind of ruler is a philosopher-king. Make sure you read both the two essays I prepared that summarize the Republic, as well as the book itself (at least up to book 5 for now). What do you think of Platos claim? Plato has defined philosopher as lovers of wisdom. According to Plato, only philosophers can be the best rulers (The Philosopher King 153) as they can eliminate all evils from the society. Plato’s claim has no practical applicability. His idea of utopian state and a philosopher king is only a theoretical proposition. There can be many philosophers in a state but all cannot become kings. Moreover, philosophers also have their own faults and failings. Plato’s views are anti-democratic and curtail the choices and opportunities of the citizens. His idea of ‘philosopher king’ challenges fundamental equality of all people. Aristotle has rightly stated that it is not essential for a state to have a ‘philosopher king’ but a king can take advice from the true philosophers. In doing so he would be able to enrich his state with good deeds and not merely with good words. 2. Socrates establishes his perfect system and then shows in book 8 of the Republic how and why it collapses. Briefly, comment on his explanation for this. Socrates defined his perfect state in Plato’s Republic. According to Socrates there is one perfect state and four lesser states. Socrates argues that perfect state is ruled by the people who are best in war and philosophy (Ryan, para 1). Men and women perform same duties in war and peace. The guardians live on communal property instead of personal property. The four lesser states are: timocracy (love of honor and military glory), oligarchy (rule of small elite class), democracy (rule of the common people), and tyranny (dictatorship of one). Socrates believes that perfect state can fall to lesser states due to miscalculation by the government officials about birth. Due to miscalculation, the next generation of guardians will include persons of inferior nature (Socrates called them souls made of iron or bronze) as opposed to ideal guardians (souls made of gold and silver). 3. After youve read book 1 of Aristotles "Politics," what do you think of Aristotles understanding of why the city is natural? This is one of his most basic claims. What does he mean by natural and why the city is an example of something that is natural? Modern political philosophers like Hobbes and Locke said that all human society was artificial, based on agreement, knowing that they were rejecting Aristotles claim. Who do you think is basically correct? According to Aristotle, the creation of city is natural (Politics 3). Aristotle defines nature as “a principle or cause of being moved and of being at rest in that to which it belongs primarily, in virtue of itself and not accidentally (Maher 3).” Aristotle states that city grows out of natural needs of human beings. Aristotle argues that people have some basic natural needs and to fulfill these natural needs men form partnerships. The basic needs such as food, shelter and reproduction are met by forming households. The formation of village will satisfy the needs of social security and bartering. The city exists to satisfy the needs of self-sufficiency. The views of Aristotle are in sharp contrast to modern political philosophers such as Hobbes and Locke who state that city and state are artificial creation of men. The theory of Hobbes and Locke seems to be more compelling. In most cases the city grows out of hierarchies and hierarchies are man made. 4. Give your own evaluation of how Aristotle tried to connect philosophy and politics, based on your reading of the text (Aristotles "Politics") and Schalls article. He analyzes origin and structure of city in his famous work ‘Politics’. Aristotle has clearly amalgamated philosophy and politics in “Politics”. He defines man as a ‘political animal’ and state is natural necessity for him. The aim of man is moral perfection and it can be attained with the help of fellow beings. Aristotle describes four types of governments: monarchical, aristocratic and polyarchical government. The aim of state is to bring happiness through virtue. 5. Based on your reading, what do you think is the long-run importance of Hellenism? Hellenism has a great impact on politics, art, architecture, philosophy, religion, metaphysics and science of the modern civilization. Many religions such as Judaism, Christianity have been greatly influenced by Hellenism. Democracy is the predominant form of government today and it has roots in Hellenism. Many modern warfare strategies are also contributed by ancient Greeks. Many western languages including English have their roots in Greek. Many major languages of the world have adopted words from Greek. Western Philosophy is based on the thoughts of Greek thinkers such as Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Thus Hellenism has started a whole new era. 6. Please read the Introduction to the collection of Ciceros writings in the text "Cicero on the Good Life" Then read the materials visible in the Course Module for Session 7. On the basis of this reading, what do you think are some of the interesting points about Ciceros political philosophy? Some of the interesting points of Ciceros political philosophy are 1.) Cicero’s political philosophy is not limited to the city-state and it has wider implications.2.) Cicero strongly believed in the republican system. He opposed dictators and was lover of high moral standards. He wanted to apply these moral principles in politics. 3.) He was the first political thinker who separated state from the society and the government. 4.) He argued that the fundamental goal of state is protection of private property of people. 5.) He believed in the existence of natural law and pioneered the theory of human equality and human rights. 7. Read the material in the Course Module on Judaism. How would you characterize the perspective Judaism has concerning good government? Judaism relies on ‘The Torah’ for good governance and citizenship. Judaism favors republican form of government, based on the popular consent and participation of people. The good government must meet the proper moral, social, and religious requirements. The government must pursue justice and protect the less fortunate (widows and orphans). 8. Read the selections in Course Module 9. How would you characterize St. Augustines political philosophy in general terms? St. Augustine political philosophy has been described in City of God. Augustine believes that state is a small speck in God’s ultimate plan. The type of government does not mater as government is an act of God. The government must perform its duties according to divine will of God. The duty of government is to help people live ethical and honest lives. Augustine believes that people are selfish by nature (due to the original sin of Adam and Eve). The state must maintain law and order among its citizens so that people can focus on spirituality. The duty of state is not to generate more wealth and other material things but to maintain peace so that people are more connected to God. The state must establish such institutions to promote justice, mercy, faith and order among its citizens. The church will perform its spiritual duties. The state will not interfere in the duties of church. 9. Please visit and study material on at least two of the websites devoted to Islam. On the basis of what you find, what was the most interesting aspect of Islam to you and why? This topic is intended to generate some initial discussion of Islam before I turn to the Islamic political philosophers in the text book. Islam does not believe in original sin of Adam and Eve. According to teachings of Islam, man is born sinless (Basic Beliefs: Christian versus Muslim para 14). The most interesting aspect of Islam to me is that the Islam teaches people to undertake every venture with a phrase ‘Insha Allah’ (If it be God’s will). Islam believes that man cannot complete any task without the will of God (Khan, para10). It believes in the universal theory of ‘Man proposes and God disposes’. God alone is the doer in this world. Another motivating teaching of Islam is that there is only one God and God cannot be represented by any form. God sends messengers to bring back His children to Him. 10. Im aware that the medieval philosophers are difficult to read, but Id like you to mention any point about them that seemed especially interesting. Lets see if some of us agree on what we found interesting. Read both the materials in Session 11 and the readings for the Islamic political philosophers from the syllabus. The medieval philosophy has discovered the themes such as truth, virtue, God and state. The most interesting feature of medieval philosophy is all of the medieval philosophers have explored some common themes such as natural philosophy, ethics, philosophical theology and metaphysics. The well known Islamic political philosophers are: Al-Farabi, Avicenna and Averroes. The thoughts of medieval Islamic philosophers have been greatly influenced by the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. Al-Farabi was the first Islamic philosopher who separated philosophy and religion (New world Encyclopedia, para 1). The philosophy of Al-Farabi is marked by his Neoplatonist ideas. Avicenna amalgamated the philosophies of Aristotle, Neoplatonist philosophers. He argued that universe is created by divine and he presented a logical proof of the existence of God (New world Encyclopedia, para 3). Averroes is famous for his commentaries on Plato’s ‘Republic’. Works Cited “Basic Beliefs: Christian versus Muslim” Islam 101 Accessed May 8, 2010 Retrieved from Khan, M.W. (n.d.) “Introducing Islam” Accessed May 8, 2010 Retrieved from New World Encyclopedia “Al-Farabi” Accessed May 8, 2010 Retrieved from New World Encyclopedia “Avicenna” Accessed May 8, 2010 Retrieved from Read More