Poli 202; Hancock; Midterm
How does the authority of the idea of "freedom" combine w/ that of "science" in shaping
our culture and politics? - ANS-Freedom and Science fit together by jointly suppressing
the question of the good. Freedom + science leads to answers with no reason behind
them
Why, according to Elder Oaks (citing Elder Packer), should we not necessarily consider
tolerance a virtue? - ANS-Toleration is only a virtue as long as it is applied wisely and
balanced between moral truth and freedom.
How does Philippe Beneton distinguish between two versions of equality? -
ANS-Substantive: moral agency, freedom to act, but there is a moral order, and
everyone is equal in the ability to be/not be moral. Choices are meaningful.
EBD: lack of meaning inherent in choice
In what way is Beneton's critique of modern equality relevant to our study of the history
of modern political philosophy? - ANS-Equality by default evolved from ideas presented
in this time originally
According to Beneton, what are the three stages of the rights of man? - ANS-1.
Moderate liberalism
2. Ideological subversion
3. Equality by default
According to Prof. Hancock, what is the basic distinction between "classical reason" and
"modern rationalism"? - ANS-Classical reason sought to ground political power in the
higher truth
Modern rationalism denies any truths above the human will
What late medieval doctrine denied that human reason had any access to a natural
order of things grounded in divine reason? - ANS-Nominalism
What is the "glue" that held together Thomas Aquinas's orderly theological model of the
cosmos and of man's place in it? - ANS-Analogy relating God to man
What two very different alternatives emerged in the 16th century to fill the void left by
the collapse of the Medieval view of the cosmos? - ANS-The reformation of Christianity
(Protestant reformation) and Machiavelli's views
, What was the significance of the papal bull "Unam Sanctum" (1302) in relation to the
Medieval theological frameworks of Augustine and Aquinas? - ANS-Gave authority of
politics to the church
What intolerable malaise impelled Martin Luther to seek a new understanding of
Christianity? - ANS-the Church selling indulgences
What doctrine was key to Luther's theological revolution? - ANS-Faith (not works) saves
you
Why did Luther abominate Aristotle? - ANS-Aristotle believed in human virtue as being
saving
By what bold theological move does Luther secure Christian duty in the political realm
even though he has radically separated the political from the spiritual realm? - ANS-It is
the duty of us to serve our fellow men and this is done through the government
(Christian obedience as an expression of service for the temporal needs of others)
How is the significance of the political realm transformed by Luther's theology of faith
alone? - ANS-It makes it unimportant because the good works of men on earth have no
impact on a man's salvation
What key phrase did Calvin add to Luther's motto, "by faith alone"? - ANS-"and to the
glory of God"
What does Machiavelli share with Luther and Calvin? - ANS-A distaste for the new
radical Christianity (Christianity + Politics)
What can we learn about Machiavelli's manner of writing from ch. 8 of The Prince. -
ANS-It is seductive, subtle, and tricky. Goes back and forth on his words. Bending
definitions to fit what he wanted. Bold and shocking, yet subtle and indirect
What is the great and obvious exception to Machiavelli's statement that only "armed
prophets" succeed (Prince ch. 6)? - ANS-The exception is Christianity
How would the classical political philosophers respond to Machiavelli's announcement
that morality (or "imaginary republics") do not "work"? - ANS-that he is wrong
How does the authority of the idea of "freedom" combine w/ that of "science" in shaping
our culture and politics? - ANS-Freedom and Science fit together by jointly suppressing
the question of the good. Freedom + science leads to answers with no reason behind
them
Why, according to Elder Oaks (citing Elder Packer), should we not necessarily consider
tolerance a virtue? - ANS-Toleration is only a virtue as long as it is applied wisely and
balanced between moral truth and freedom.
How does Philippe Beneton distinguish between two versions of equality? -
ANS-Substantive: moral agency, freedom to act, but there is a moral order, and
everyone is equal in the ability to be/not be moral. Choices are meaningful.
EBD: lack of meaning inherent in choice
In what way is Beneton's critique of modern equality relevant to our study of the history
of modern political philosophy? - ANS-Equality by default evolved from ideas presented
in this time originally
According to Beneton, what are the three stages of the rights of man? - ANS-1.
Moderate liberalism
2. Ideological subversion
3. Equality by default
According to Prof. Hancock, what is the basic distinction between "classical reason" and
"modern rationalism"? - ANS-Classical reason sought to ground political power in the
higher truth
Modern rationalism denies any truths above the human will
What late medieval doctrine denied that human reason had any access to a natural
order of things grounded in divine reason? - ANS-Nominalism
What is the "glue" that held together Thomas Aquinas's orderly theological model of the
cosmos and of man's place in it? - ANS-Analogy relating God to man
What two very different alternatives emerged in the 16th century to fill the void left by
the collapse of the Medieval view of the cosmos? - ANS-The reformation of Christianity
(Protestant reformation) and Machiavelli's views
, What was the significance of the papal bull "Unam Sanctum" (1302) in relation to the
Medieval theological frameworks of Augustine and Aquinas? - ANS-Gave authority of
politics to the church
What intolerable malaise impelled Martin Luther to seek a new understanding of
Christianity? - ANS-the Church selling indulgences
What doctrine was key to Luther's theological revolution? - ANS-Faith (not works) saves
you
Why did Luther abominate Aristotle? - ANS-Aristotle believed in human virtue as being
saving
By what bold theological move does Luther secure Christian duty in the political realm
even though he has radically separated the political from the spiritual realm? - ANS-It is
the duty of us to serve our fellow men and this is done through the government
(Christian obedience as an expression of service for the temporal needs of others)
How is the significance of the political realm transformed by Luther's theology of faith
alone? - ANS-It makes it unimportant because the good works of men on earth have no
impact on a man's salvation
What key phrase did Calvin add to Luther's motto, "by faith alone"? - ANS-"and to the
glory of God"
What does Machiavelli share with Luther and Calvin? - ANS-A distaste for the new
radical Christianity (Christianity + Politics)
What can we learn about Machiavelli's manner of writing from ch. 8 of The Prince. -
ANS-It is seductive, subtle, and tricky. Goes back and forth on his words. Bending
definitions to fit what he wanted. Bold and shocking, yet subtle and indirect
What is the great and obvious exception to Machiavelli's statement that only "armed
prophets" succeed (Prince ch. 6)? - ANS-The exception is Christianity
How would the classical political philosophers respond to Machiavelli's announcement
that morality (or "imaginary republics") do not "work"? - ANS-that he is wrong
