Terms you should be able to define, list, and/or discuss briefly:

1. absolutism

2. relativism

3. idealism

4. materialism

5. Two flaws in Glaucon's argument in the the section we read of Bk. II of Plato's Republic (this included the story about the Ring of Gyges.)

6. Five functions of Plato's Theory of Forms given in lecture

7. Teleology - define and explain why Aristotle’s ethics is called teleological

8. Aristotle's general definition of a moral virtue - "(a) activity, (b) in accordance with reason, (c) the mean between the extremes, (d) a matter of habit, (e) and gives pleasure to the virtuous person," (Robert C. Solomon, Morality and the Good Life. 2^nd edition. [New York: McGraw-Hill, 1992] 85-86.)

9.  Aristotle’s definition of a moral virtue as a mean between extremes (5 elements) - a) the simple definition - moral virtue as a mean between excess and defect b) mean relative to us as people c) mean relative to the type of virtue (the nature of the thing itself) d) hitting the mean is difficult and e) not all acts admit of moderation. (Aristotle, N. Ethics. Bk II. Sect.2, 6, 8, 9).

10. Neo-Platonism

11. Manicheanism

12. Stoicism

13. Augustine's definitions of original sin and grace

14. caritas and cupiditas - define and give a brief description of why these concepts are important to Augustine . These terms are discussed in the e-reserve reading by Beach and Niebuhr.

15. Monism versus dualism

16.  theodicy or problem of evil - define and give brief description of how Augustine tries to solve

17. free will, problem of (theological) - define and give brief description of how Augustine tries to solve

1. Describe briefly the key points of Glaucon's devil's advocate argument in the excerpt from Book II of Plato's Republic we read.  

2.  Discuss briefly one flaw and one strength of  Glaucon's  argument in the excerpt from Book II of Plato's Republic we read.

3.  Aristotle argues that a moral virtue is a mean between extremes. Explain his argument briefly using at least one moral virtue as an example (a. simple definition, b. mean relative to us, c. mean relative to nature of thing itself, d. hitting mean difficult, e. not all acts admit of moderation).  [Note:  Courage and temperance (self-control) are relatively easy virtues to explain.]

4.  Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics is said to take a teleological approach to ethics.  Explain briefly what this means.

5.  Bob and Fred are arguing about what the highest goal in life is. Bob says it is pleasure and Fred says it is a combination of money and health. How might Aristotle respond to them? In your answer be sure to discuss: a. Aristotle’s definition of the summum bonum b. Why it is the summum bonum according to Aristotle c. Why he argues that his definition should be preferred to alternative conceptions d. How the summum bonum is achieved according to Aristotle

6.  Alice struggles mightily to stay on her diet and lose thirty pounds. She succeeds but each day she still struggles to maintain her loss. According to Aristotle, does Alice possess the virtue of temperance? Explain briefly why or why not.

7.  Can Plato or Augustine be labeled materialists? Explain why or why not. In your answer, be sure to define the term.

8.  Can Plato or Augustine be labeled moral relativists?  Explain why or why not. In your answer, be sure to define the term.

9.  Augustine and Aristotle both focused on the summum bonum or highest good.  Briefly discuss one point of agreement and one point of disagreement between the two philosophers.

Suggestions for Writing Short Answer Questions

A.  Read over the question and determine what the question is asking you to do. Key words that are often used in questions are explain, discuss, describe, evaluate, compare, contrast,  apply, etc.  These tell you what to do. 

B.  Note which philosopher or philosophers the question covers.  In this unit of the course we have studied Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine.

C.  One way to begin is to start out by restating the question.  You don't have to begin this way, but it is a way to get started and to be sure that you are answering the question being asked.

For example:

In this brief essay, I will briefly discuss one strength and then one flaw in Glaucon's devil's advocate argument in Book II of Plato's Republic. 

Plato and Augustine are not materialists.  I will first define materialism.  Then I will explain why they are not materialists.

D.  When you are done with writing, read over your answers.   You can correct misspellings, add any omitted words, and make sure you answered the question fully. 

Resources

In addition to your textbook and Angeles' The HarperCollins Dictionary of Philosophy, all of the overheads are available on my website at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/jcanders/Ethics/ethics_overheads.htm   There is a handout on theodicy and free will at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/jcanders/Ethics/theodicy_and_free_will_in_august.htm Also don't forget the Glossary for Test One  If you missed a class or would like to read a secondary source, S. E. Stumpf Socrates to Sartre: A History of Philosophy B72.S79 1993 is on regular 2 hour reserve in the library.