PS STUDY GUIDE
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- How did the decline of the polis affect the general nature of Hellenistic thought?
- It alienated the world of Hellenistic thought. I’m no longer part of the polis, just part of a huge empire, so bad the polis.
- What does Aristotle/Plato see the relationship between best man and best citizen?
- Philosopher does not identify with citizen, but is nice to him
- What do the Epicureans see the relationship between best man and best citizen?
- the good life is a life of pleasure⬦The happiest man is far from the citizen
- What do the Stoics see the relationship between best man and best citizen?
- Identified- they water down the idea of philosophy to allow everyone to share. No longer can only a few obtain. Philosophy is identified with virtue
- What is Epicureans view of the nature of reality?
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Materialism (Atomism) vs. Superstition, nothing exsists without
nothing. No creation from nothing; all have knowable cause, mind material
(smaller, smoother atoms) - What is Epicureans view of the good life?
- Pleasure is a relief from fear and intense desire. Sex is better than love. Achieve a calm state of soul - philosopher is best.
- What does Plato believe about love?
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love is like the stairs, beauty continually rising and building until one
finally arrives to what is truly beautiful. - How are the Stoics like the Socratics?
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1. Virtue is key to happiness
2. Rational order in cosmos (hierarchy)
3. Rational order in soul (reason rules passions) - How are the Stoics and Socratics different?
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1.Universal brotherhood: Cosmopolis-
2. Providence cares for humankind: anthropocentric tendency. A God who cares for human kind. Socrats- Gods don’t matter much
3. Equality: Philosophy for everyone. Exaggerates self-sufficiency of virtue
Effaces distinction: philosophical / practical - What does Seneca beleive about hope?
- Don’t hope without a measure of despair, and don’t despair without a measure of hope.
- What does Christianity beleive about hope?
- "have a perfect brightness of hope" - eternal life, no room for despair
- What does Plato/Aristotle beleive about hope?
- The philosopher wants to bring out the good of the city. The falling leaves story.
- What is Plotinus’ view of the orders of reality?
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1. Plato’s good, or "the One". See top to bottom.
2. Aristotelian Intellect (Aristotle’s God)
3. Living Soul (real world experience; what those in the cave would understand) - What, according to Jules Peguy, is the importance of Rome?
- It has roots for two of man’s inheritances, philosophy and religion.
- How did the Roman Republic become an Empire?
- Successful defensive conquests, treating conquered areas with dignity made them Allies
- What are three key elements of the Roman legacy? Explain each briefly.
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1. Law-order and system
2. Mixed Constitution- monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic elements
3. Innovation Within Existing Order- when constructing a constitution, apply and include things learned from past conflicts, struggles and difficulties. - Who was Cicero?
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He placed politics above philosophical study.
An academic Platonist. On the Roman Consul and a republican. - What is the best regime for Cicero?
- Monarchy - but it can lead to a revolution and subsequent collapse of authority.
- What is the most stable regime for Cicero?
- Three different parts: the consoles, the senate, and the people.
- What is the significance of Cicero’s “Dream of Scipio�
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1. Goodness of a contemplative life
2. harmony of the
spheres
3. Eternity of the soul apart from the body
4. Triviality of ambition and fame. - According to Reynolds, what is myth 1 about the Apostasy?
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1. Happened because of outside persecution.
-Most persecution were internal as seen from Paul's letters in the bible. - According to Reynolds, what is myth 2 about the Apostasy?
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2. Caused by hellenization of Christianity and Greek philosophy
-Off by a century. No greek philosophy was apart of the church until late in the second century.
-Greek philosophy saved Christianity because it defended it according to Alexander the great. - According to Reynolds, what is myth 3 about the Apostasy?
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3. Great and Abdominal Church = Catholics.
-First time this idea was shown was by Protestant writers who were anti-catholic and joined the church.
-The bible looks to have been changed and so can't validate that the church is Catholic.