Study Guide 1

							Study Guide 1
Text: Intro., Ch. 1 (p. 1-7); CP: Plato’s “Republic,” Aristotle’s” Ethics,” Cicero’s “The Republic”

Text: Intro
1. What is the great “question” or “problem” of government that leaders throughout history have
    sought to resolve?
2. How is the Magna Carta an example of a founding—according to how the textbook defines a
    founding—in a way that William the Conqueror’s invasion of England was not?
3. What “complex and unpredictable” thing must be taken into account to create a well-founded
    government?
4. How does the text suggest that our American Heritage is both static (stays the same) and dynamic
    (ever changing)?

Text: Ch 1 (p. 1-7)
1. What does sovereignty mean? How does the issue of sovereignty relate to the events in Little Rock?
2. What metaphor does George Washington use to describe government? What does he mean by
    this?
3. What are the four parts of the Human Predicament? How does it move from one to the other?
4. What is the difference between theocracy and aristocracy?
5. According to the Greek definition of arête, what are the key virtues a leader must have?
6. How does Christian virtue appear to differ from Greek virtue?

CP: Plato’s Republic
1. 1.What is “the good”?
2. What is the role of education with respect to “the Good”?
3. Who should and shouldn’t rule the best republic according to Plato?
4. What is the chief task of the founders of the best republic?

CP: Aristotle’s Ethics
1. What does Aristotle say about the nature of “the good.”
2. What is the end of politics?
3. What does he believe should be the aim of “every lawgiver”?

CP: Cicero’s The Republic
1. What are the key elements of what Cicero believes is “true” law?
2. Cicero thinks many people equate aristocracy with wealth and family connections. But he thinks
    this is wrong. Why? What does he think should be the basis of rule by the aristocracy?
3. What is the “mixed” form of government, and why does Cicero think it would be preferable?