Response paper #4
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Philosophy
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Jan 9, 2024
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Response paper #4
1. What is an allegory?
Allegory is a political theory where there is a story within a story, so essentially there is a
bigger and deeper meaning to the philosophy. According to the book, “In The Republic, Plato has
the character of Socrates begin the allegory of the cave by telling us that the allegory is supposed
to illustrate the process of achieving understanding and enlightenment”.
2. Explain Plato’s allegory of the cave: What is the setting, who are the characters, and what
major events transpire? What does this allegory teach about the process of gaining
enlightenment?
In Plato's allegory of the cave, in The Republic, Plato has Socrates
illustrate the process
of understanding and enlightenment by asking us to imagine we are in a cave. We as residents in
the cave are chained and shackled unaware of what is behind us or in front of us, we are
oblivious and only think of the worse. There are three important objects in the cave: a flame
casting light, a pathway to exit, and groups of people moving things around causing shadows.
The only thing we are able to see is in front of us which are shadows but we don't realize it is
from the flame. We are so distracted by what we think we see that once we see others walking
around the references used, is that our life shatters in the cave because we are alerted that there is
light and a possibility to walk down this pathway and move forward. The meaning of this
allegory is that everything we see is an illusion and the truth is knowledge. Without knowledge
we wouldn't be able to move on and venture.
3. Compare and contrast how Plato and Hobbes offer differing insights on how we might answer
this question: What purpose should states serve?
The Republic of Plato and the Leviathan of Thomas Hobbes are both political works
dealing with the nature of government and the ideal society. Both philosophers believe in the
ideal or concept of a just society, but they have different views on how to organize and maintain
such a society. Plato's ideal society is ruled by philosopher kings, individuals who possess both
wisdom and power. Hobbes, on the other hand, believes that the best ruler is the one who has the
greatest power. Both philosophers differ because Plato believes that there are objective eternal
truths that can be known through reason and contemplation, while Hobbes believes that
knowledge is based on sense experience and that objective truth does not exist. According to
Plato, the state must promote justice, and that the best form of government is the one that deals
with justice.
4. Discuss Aristotle’s concept of equality, and relate this concept to the six-part classification of
governments outlined by Aristotle. Of the six types of government, which are proper (and why)
and which are improper (and why)?
Aristotle's Politics offers insights on the subject of equality. Reading Aristotle's views ,
one can think about what equality means. Aristotle implies that it can mean many things.
According to the book, "He advises that equality best serves human beings when equality is
understood to mean equal consideration of interests so that all interests (the common interest) are
promoted.", and the 6 forms of governments that contain the ruler and who the ruler is advising.
●
Monarchy: Rule by one in the interests of all
●
Aristocracy: Rule by the few in the interests of all
●
Polity: Rule by the many in the interests of all
●
Tyranny: Rule by one in the interests of the ruler
●
Oligarchy: Rule by the few in the interests of the rulers
●
Democracy: Rule by the many in the interests of the rulers
As far as improper and proper governments, the good forms would be monarchy, aristocracy,
and polity, and the bad forms are tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy.
5. Jefferson, Tecumseh, and Mendes teach the benefits of equality; however, each writer may be
viewed as anti-Aristotelian in conceptualizing equality. Explain this anti-Aristotelian element in
Jefferson, Tecumseh, and Mendes by noting how Jefferson, Tecumseh, and Mendes separately
define and explain equality.
Thomas Jefferson's views on equality were that he
believed that states should promote
equality; equality of natural rights should be protected when Aristotle's equality views is the
public's interests. Tecumsehs believed that states should promote equality; equality of natural
rights emphasizing property rights; rulers who take away natural rights are illegitimate. Lastly,
Mendes believed that states should promote equality; equal participation of all groups in
decision-making
6. How do the works of Nietzsche and Vonnegut offer a critique of equality? How does
Nietzsche’s discussion of equality relate to his analysis of slave morality?
One of the most controversial politica; theorists, Nietzsche,
believed that states should
not promote equality; equality is a made up word for people who want to destroy those above
them. His take on equality is actually a concept rooted from slave mortality; morality to him is
designed by the weak, therefore designed to serve the interests of the weaker. In the book it also
states that Slave morality condemns as "evil" what the master morality calls "good".
An example
he used was, christianity because it teaches humility, forgiveness, and meekness.Vonnegut
believed that states should not promote equality; those who demand equality are self-serving
according to him. According to the book, “ First, equality becomes a basis for attacking those
who would use their talents to become strong or intellectually dominant. The drive for equality
means that the Handicapper- General enforces rules prohibiting anyone from rising above the
“average” level. Second, equality is exposed as being a self-serving position; as a Nietzschean
would say, equality is not a neutral concept but rather is a concept that harms some and favors
others. In the short story, those who would not be able to success- fully compete with the
naturally gifted and strong Harrison are protected from having to do so by his radio, glasses, and
weights”.
7. Machiavelli and Madison agree on the need for states, but they offer contrasting perspectives
on how state power should be organized. Analyze those contrasts. Compare and contrast answers
given by Mill and fundamentalists to the following question: Should governments pass laws to
make citizens ethical?
Machiavelli
wrote "The Prince" and "how" to maximize state power, Machiavelli uses
power to justify culture. The prince was used to achieve power from certain countries and the use
of culture was used by referring to “god” to manipulate good and bad choices. Madison Wrote
"The Federalist Papers" and organized states to limit state power, the 3 branches of government,
and checks and balances. According to the book, “Madison argues that states should intentionally
restrict their powers by means of the institution of a separation of powers and a system of checks
and balances. With respect to the former, Madison writes, legislative, executive, and judicial
power must be divided among three different branches of government”. From what I'm reading
in the book, we can see that there are two views on passing laws to make citizens ethical; It is
best for the state and government to leave decision making to the citizens because it promotes
free thinking.
8. Discuss three decrees introduced by the Taliban. Discuss three arguments made by U.S.
fundamentalists.
According to the book decrees issued by authority are as stated “ They included decrees
requiring men to grow beards, forbidding girls and women from attending school, forbidding
women to practice most professions, and restricting women from travel- ing in public without
religious attire and without male escorts. Taliban decrees also banned most games, photography,
American hairdos, and nonreligious holiday observances”. Arguments made by U.S.
fundamentalists
9. Did the U.S. government ever support the Taliban?
The Clinton administration was a supporter of the Taliban during that administration.
10. In your view, are we inside or outside the cave, as discussed in Plato’s The Republic, when
we, as a people acting through our state, use drones to target those our state has identified as
terrorists?
In Plato's, The Republic, the cave allegory demonstrates the process of critical evaluation
and highlights the relevance to both political and everyday life. The
people acting against
terrorists are considered inside the cave. Using drones to target the terrorists makes the people
aware of the state's reality.
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