Final essay topics for PHIL241
Choose ONE that you would like to write about:
- According to Socrates the ideal city could come into being if philosophers became political rulers. Given his analysis of what a philosopher should be, do you think such a project is viable?
- Socrates’ view about justice in the society requires each of the classes, the producers, the auxiliaries and the ruler-guardians do their job and only their job, without any interference. Do you agree that if such a society existed, it would be just?
- Aristotle thought the happiest life is contemplative life. Do you agree with this idea? Explain Aristotle’s main ideas about happiness in general, about the role that pleasure plays in attaining happiness, and about how contemplation is supposed to be superior as an activity to others from the point of view of happiness.
- Compare and analyze Aristotle’s and Plato’s notions of virtue, on the one hand, with Machiavelli’s notion of virtú. Explain Aristotle’s ideas on moderation and choosing the middle way, Plato’s qualities that would make a political leader appropriate, and compare then with Machiavelli’s realist understanding of what a ruler should do and what his/her goals are.