Classics

Classical Political Theory

77327

Course Overview: Philosophical disciplines are defined by the questions they address. Political theory focuses on the nature and purpose of human association. Human beings are, as Aristotle says, “political animals.” Not only must we cooperate in order to survive, but our moral and intellectual faculties can develop only in association with other people. By studying the history of political theory we encounter the variety of views on political association the Western tradition has produced. The theorists covered in this course span roughly two thousand years of European history, from the fifth century B.C. to the sixteenth century A.D. By studying them we become familiar with what possible answers to the question of political association look like. Reading Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Thomas Aquinas on the possibility of a perfect political order exposes us to a variety of different starting points. In grappling with their questions, the thinkers covered in this course have carefully worked out the implications of their particular premises. We have noted that the specific topics that concern them vary from society to society, from age to age. The great theorists, moreover, concentrate on different aspects of their own societies. J. S. Mill refers to them as “one-eyed men”; each views things from his own perspective, calling special attention to aspects of the human condition of greatest concern to him. By studying the different outlooks of the major theorists, one comes to understand the implications of different starting points. One reason the great political theorists are great is their ability to identity distinctive starting points and to work out their implications. In tracing the history of political theory, we will encounter a range of basic assumptions and consequently widely different political theories.

The history of political theory is the intellectual root of our own political ideas, part of what makes us what we are. by coming to understand a range of possible answers to general political questions and the assumptions from which they stem, we become more clear about our own ideas. We are able to understand the theoretical foundations of our views on particular questions that concern us as citizens, and so able to move beyond conceiving them as given or inevitable. Our political ideas are human creations and so subject to critical assessment. Only when we examine possible alternatives to our own ideas are we able not only to understand and criticize them, but also accept them.

The reading load for this class is heavy, and although some of this material will sound familiar to you, much of it will not. Do not be frustrated if you do not understand a text the first time you read through it. Much of what we will be reading can be resistant to easy interpretation, so you are encouraged to read through difficult passages more than once and discuss them with colleagues as well as in class; the formation of study groups is highly recommended. Also, be an aggressive reader: ask questions while you are reading. If you do not understand a passage, mark it and ask about it in class. Highlight or underline passages you feel are important, and note your own comments in the margins. Read critically; given proper attention this material can be fascinating.

Requirements: Regular attendance and timely completion of the readings are required as class discussion will play a strong role in determining your grade; more than three unexcused absences, consequently, will result in the loss of a letter grade. A midterm and final examination will be administered. Two papers are required, topics for which will be handed out several weeks prior to their due dates. Additionally, random quizzes will be administered throughout the semester. Each assignment (papers and exams) will be worth 20% of your grade. 10% of your final grade will be made up by the quizzes, and the final 10% of your grade will be linked to class participation.

Study Questions: A list of study questions for each thinker is listed on the web. You are encouraged to look through these questions and use them to study for the midterm and final exam. Also consider them when you are reading through the texts. If you are unable to download the questions on-line, please contact me for assistance. The website where these questions can be found is: http://www.newpaltz.edu/~millerj/Classics.html.

Required Texts:
Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War         Epictetus, The Encheiridion
Plato, The Trial and Death of Socrates                     Augustine, City of God
Plato, Republic                                                          Thomas Aquinas, On Law, Morality and Politics
Aristotle, Politics

Reserve Texts: Recommended Text:
J. B. Bury & R. Meiggs, A History of Greece H. D. F. Kitto, The Greeks
N. F. Cantor, Medieval History

All books (with the exception of the reserve texts) are available for purchase from Ariel Books. All texts are also on reserve at the library. Students are required to bring the text under discussion with them to class.

Readings: I have purposely not assigned readings to specific days – this will allow us the flexibility to take the time to go through each thinker at our own pace; some philosophers will require two or more weeks of reading and discussion (Plato), others we may discuss in a day or two (Epictetus). I will let you know weekly in class where you should be in the reading. A list of important dates and reading groupings, however, are listed below:

Power, Nature and Convention: Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War
Reading Assignment: pp. 1-109; 145-173; 294-414; 441-468
Recommended Reading: Kitto, Chpts 5, 7, 8; Bury/Meiggs, Chpt. 10, 11

Socrates: The Well Examined Life: Plato, The Trial and Death of Socrates
Reading Assignment: Euthypro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo
Recommended Reading: Kitto, Chpts 9-10

Plato: The Just City and the Possibility of Politics
Reading Assignment: Plato, Republic (all)
Recommended Reading: Bury/Meiggs, Chpts. 12-14

Aristotle: Practical Politics and Attainable Constitutions
Reading Assignment: Politics Bks 1-6
Recommended Reading: Bury/Meiggs, Chpt. 16

Ataraxia and Hellenistic Philosophy: Stoics, Cynics and Epicureans
Reading Assignment: Epictetus, Encheiridion
Recommended Reading: Grant, pp. 1-20, 149-252; Bury/Meiggs, Chpt. 17-18

Sin and Politics: Augustinian Theology and the City of Man
    Reading Assignment: City of God pp. 5-20, 72-75, 130-134, 139, 190-201, 220-224, 301-315, 462-3, 547-
    594, 851-894, 991-998, 1081-1091
    Recommended Reading: Cantor, pp. 181-198

The Thomistic Synthesis: Thomas Aquinas
Reading Assignment: Law, Morality and Politics pp. 29-75, 114-135, 231-259, 263-273
Recommended Reading: Cantor, pp. 543-572

Important Dates, MW Class:

10/2 First Paper Due
10/9 Midterm Examination
12/6 Last Day of Class - Second Paper Due

Final Exam: Monday, December 18, 9:30-11:30am

Important Dates, T R Class:

10/3 First Paper Due
10/10 Midterm Examination
12/7 Last Day of Class - Second Paper Due

Final Exam: Thursday, December 14, 9:30-11:30am

Study Questions and Vocabulary

Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War

1. What aspects of Athenian political ideology can be found in Thucydides' descriptions of Pericles' speeches?
2. What function does the story of the naval victory at Salamis have in Athenian political rhetoric?
3. What are sophists? What sort of threat might they pose to Athenian democracy?
4. What is 'realism'? And is Thucydides a 'realist'?
5. What does Thucydides say about his methodology? Why does he think it is new?
6. Was war between Athens and Sparta inevitable? What did Thucydides think? Why?
7. Thucydides spends much time discussing the democracy at Athens. What is his opinion of democracy?
8. Could Athens have won the war against Sparta? What does Thucydides think?
9. What is the dispute between the Melians and Athenians? What role does justice play in this dispute? What role does justice play in Thucydides' history?
10. What happens in the Corcyran civil war? Why is it important in the text? What lessons does Thucydides seem to demonstrate by writing about it.
11. What is the significance of the Battle of Salamis for the Athenians?

Vocabulary:
oikos polis stasis polupragmosune ostracism
public private dike Classical Period sophist

Socrates and Plato:
1. Does Socrates teach anything? If so, what?
2. Is what Socrates does political? Why or why not?
3. What is the difference between 'Socratic' and 'Platonic' political thought? Or is there a difference?
4. The Republic is subtitled 'an inquiry into justice.' Do you think this is a fitting title based on your readings?
5. Does Socrates adequately address Thrasymachus' definition of justice?
6. Does Socrates adequately address Glaucon and Adiemantus' concerns about justice?
7. Why does Glaucon tell the story of the Ring of Gyges? What is the point of the parable?
8. How does the distinction between appearance and reality function in Plato's thought?
9. Assess Socrates’ argument for obedience to the laws from the Crito.
10. Is the discussion of a term like 'justice' practical? Why or why not?
11. What is the techne analogy, and how is it used by Socrates?
12. Describe the education of the Guardians. Why are they educated in this manner?
13. Describe the functioning of the City in Speech created by Socrates.
14. What is the metaphysical and political significance of the metaphors of the Sun, Line and Cave?
15. What purpose and function does education serve? What type of education does Plato advocate?
16. What is the myth of the metals, and what function does it serve?
17. What are some of the ways in which Plato deals with the relationship between nature and convention?
18. According to Plato, why can we not rely on experience and belief in order to find the right concept of justice?
19. Why do philosophers rule in Plato's ideal city? Plato
20. What is the Socratic elenchus, and how does it function? How practical does it seem?
21. Explain the connection between the tripartite soul and the division of classes.
22. What has happened to the public and private spheres in the ideal city?
23. What specific contemporary concerns might Plato be addressing in writing the Republic?
24. Is Plato a 'feminist'?

Vocabulary:
elenchus pistis nomos phusis Sophists episteme

Aristotle's Politics
1. What is Aristotle’s doctrine of nature? Why are all things teleological according to Aristotle?
2. Why is the polis ‘natural’ according to Aristotle? What does he mean by this?
3. Evaluate Aristotle’s arguments for the inferiority of women and slaves. How adequate are these arguments? What are some problems with them?
4. Outline Aristotle’s analysis of different constitutions. How are they ranked, and why are they ranked in the order that he describes?
5. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the basic regime types Aristotle discusses in the Politics.
6. According to Aristotle, what does it mean to be a citizen?
7. Why is a middle constitution, or ‘polity’ judged by Aristotle to be the most stable?
8. Why doesn’t Aristotle place much emphasis on ideal polities of the sort that Plato outlines in the Republic?
9. Explain Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean.

Vocabulary:
telos (teleological) metaphysics Lyceum

The Hellenistic Period
1. What political and social changes in the Mediterranean bring about the "Hellenistic" Period?
2. What are some of the basic philosophical differences between the Classical and Hellenistic Periods? Epicurus
5. Explain how Stoic concepts of the physical universe influence their moral philosophy.
6. What is the "Doctrine of Permeation", and how does it fit into Stoic philosophy?
7. The Stoics say that we ought to live "according to nature." What do they mean by this?
8. Can a good Stoic be an active participating member of society?
9. How can the Stoic concept of natural law be used to justify resistance to law?

Vocabulary
Ataraxia           Hellenistic Period         Apatheia
Parrhesia         Anaideia               Cosmopolites
Autarkia           Natural Law

Study Questions for Augustine
1. How is Augustine's theology rooted in Adam and Eve's Fall? What role does Original Sin play in Augustine's theology?
2. What role does sin play in Augustine's thought? What motivates us toward sin? Toward God?
3. Why was the fall of the Roman Empire significant for Christianity? For Augustine?
4. What, in Augustine's mind, is the appropriate role for the Christian in civil society? Aquinas
5. What's the difference between the City of God and the City of Man?
6. What does Augustine think the role of the secular powers consists of?
7. What is the proper relationship between the Christian Church and secular authorities?
8. Explain how the role of the Christian Church changed while it was under Roman authority.
9. How does Augustine deal with heretics? Is his treatment of them consistent with his overall philosophy?
10. Explain Augustine's views on predestination. How do they influence the rest of his theology?
11. What are Augustine's views on the difference between men and women?
12. What roots of Classical Philosophy can be found in Augustine's thought? What does he adopt from Classical Philosophy and what does he reject?
13. What role did Manichaeanism play in Augustine's thought? Why was he attracted to it? What sorts of answers did it offer to him?

Study Questions for Thomas Aquinas

1. Both Aquinas and Augustine are influenced by Classical thinkers. Which ones? How are they differently influenced? Why? What elements of Ancient Greek Philosophy does Augustine embrace but Aquinas reject?
2. What is scholasticism? How did it develop?
3. What role does reason play in Aquinas' philosophy? Thomas Aquinas
4. What role does society and government have in Aquinas' philosophy? How does this differ from Augustine?
5. Contrast the role of sin in Augustine and Aquinas. How do the differing conceptions of sin effect their philosophies?
6. What type of government does Aquinas think is best? Why?
7. Are there any limitations on unjust authority in Aquinas' thought? Contrast Aquinas with Augustine on this matter.
8. What is natural law?
9. Describe Aquinas' discussion of law. How does his conception of law fit into Christianity?
10. What does Aquinas say is the proper relationship between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities? How does he differ or agree with Augustine? How would Aquinas have resolved the Investiture Controversy? Why?