Key Terms
KEY CONCEPT
Early political philosophy asked three questions: Who makes the best leader? What is the best system of government?
Core idea
Legitimacy rests on an agreement between the ruler and the ruled.
Citizenship (Aristotle)
An unconditional citizen is one who can hold deliberative or judicial office. Women, enslaved people, and the elderly we
Method
Socratic method — guided argumentation. Socrates as the main interlocutor.
Central question
Is justice just an instrument of power, or is it valuable in itself?
Argument structure
If a just city is more successful than an unjust one, then a just person will be more successful than an unjust one.
Three tiers of society
Guardians / Auxiliaries / Laborers Maps to three parts of the soul: Reason / Discipline / Passion
Context
Islamic golden age; Baghdad was the intellectual center of the world. Al-Farabi was the first Islamic philosopher to stu
Definition
A moral framework of principles seeking the greatest fairness in distributing wealth, goods, and services.
Absolute monarchy
Ruler has complete control; not beholden to any other authority. Often justified by divine right of kings — ruler chosen
Constitutional monarchy
Ruler works within a constitution; has executive powers but does not personally make policy. The UK is the textbook exam
Aristocracy
Rule by a small elite; determined through succession. Class = perceived worth and social benefit.
Deeper roots than monarchy
Native American tribal democracies (Cheyenne, Iroquois, Huron), African campfire democracy — predating European urban mo
Athens
Democracy in the city-state context.
Richard Arneson
Democracy is morally legitimate because it produces better consequences than any feasible alternative.