PHIL 1301

• Who is Machiavelli writing his book (The Prince) for


  Lorenzo de'Medici (ruler of Florence at the time)
• How does Machiavelli see himself relating to Princes or other rulers


  Pragmatic advisor, advocates for better strategies, navigates political complexities
• Does Machiavelli believe it's better to be feared or loved, and why

  Feared

  (fear is more reliable means of control)
• What's the role of Fortune in the view of many people


  It is seen as an unpredictable force or external factor that influences events and outcomes in life
• What's Machiavelli's view about the role of Fortune


  It is fickle and can be influenced by human agency
• What does Machiavelli think rulers should do


  Secure and consolidate power, even if it means employing morally questionable tactics
• Why does Hobbes use a thought experiment


  To allow him to explore hypothetical scenarios and draw conclusions about human behavior and the social contract without relying solely on historical or empirical evidence
• What is Hobbes' thought experiment


  "State of Nature" (hypothetical scenario without government)
• Why is the "state of nature" so bad


  Individuals would act solely out of self-interest, leading to conflict and chaos
• Why does the sovereign have so much power (Hobbes)


  Because it represents the embodiment of the social contract
• How do later authors change Hobbes's approach to the social contract


  By introducing concepts such as consent, rights, democracy and justice
• What's the starting point of philosophy for the Greeks

  Ethics
• What's the starting point of philosophy for the Aztecs/Machiavelli

  The world around us
• What's the starting point of philosophy for Hobbes

  The quest for certainty...how can we know things for sure
• What authors that we talked about might have something to say on the problem of mental health

  Plato, Aristotle, Astell, and the Aztecs
• What authors that we talked about mightnot have something to say on the problem of mental health

  Machiavelli and Hobbes
• Why does Astell believe that a narrow education is as much of a problem as ignorance


  Because it stifled intellectual and moral development
• How does custom build on ignorance and a narrow education (Astell)


  By perpetuating outdated beliefs and limiting opportunities for intellectual and personal growth
• Why don't people have the time or desire to reflect on their own (Astell)


  Social distractions, gender norms, and a lack of educational opportunities
• What's Astell's proposed school like


  Aimed to challenge traditional attitude towards women's education and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate fully in intellectual and cultural life
• What intellectual or practical advantages would Astell's vision of a school have


  It would offer women intellectual and practical advantages that would not only benefit individual students but also contribute to the advancement of society as a whole
• What specific problem is Aristotle trying to solve

  How to live a good and fulfilling life, both individually and collectively
• What specific problem is Plato trying to solve

  Comprehensive account of justice, the ideal state, good governance, structure of society, and the nature of virtue
• What specific problem are the Aztecs trying to solve

  Governing a vast and diverse empire, maintaining social order and stability, and defending territory
• What specific problem is Astell trying to solve

  Womans marginalization and subordination in society
• What specific problem is Hobbes trying to solve

  Political disorder and instability
• What specific problem is Machiavelli trying to solve

  Provide practical ways for rulers to overcome challenges of governance and maintain authority where political power is consisted and precarious