JULIE MAY J.

ESCARO AB POLSCI 2-B

POLSCI 3 — INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY

Summary Chapter Assessment

Essay Quiz 1

1. Do you believe in Socrates Political view when he said that the best Government should be ruled
by individuals who is a lover of true Philosophy and must possess knowledge and virtue? If our
political leaders in the Philippines possess these attributes do you think that graft and corruption
will be eliminated? Please explain and defend your own thoughts. 20pts.
— Yes. A person who possess enthusiasm in acquiring knowledge and passionate about
leading other people has a huge advantage in flourishing a country for betterment.
Compared to the ones who involve themselves on politics for a mere position, power
and privilege. One who has ultimate wisdom knows himself, and by knowing in-depth
knowledge he is capable of governing his own ideas, thoughts and philosophies that is
needed for a country's government to progress. If political leaders possess these
attributes, I believe that it could be reduced but not entirely eliminated. Truth be told,
some politicians run for the vision to reconstruct a broken system, to help the people
and be a catalyst of change. While most of them are running for money and power. And
to reconsider that this is a Philippine government wherein politicians can be an action
star, an artist, boxing fighter and elite people with impending graft and corruption
anomalies, then corruption is highly impossible to be eliminated.

2. Explain Socrates’ quote when he said that “knowing one’s self brings true happiness”. What is its
importance in terms of developing goals and passion in life? Explain. 10pts.
— Authentic happiness comes from within. It is the product of making wise choices as well
as living in peace and harmony with your body, mind and soul. Socrates quotes invoked
when we know ourselves, we create choices in accordance to the harmony of our
desires which bring true happiness. If we master our true nature; wants, needs and the
satisfaction we seek, there is a higher tendency of achieving our desired happiness.
Thus, happiness is not only a state of mind rather a goal obtainable by human effort. Its
importance brings the urge or drive to continually seek far beyond. It allows us to search
for what we truly desire, our “handom kag dumot”, goals, and passion that will fulfill us.
And it is the satisfaction that we get, and fulfillment that completes our being.

3. Do you agree in Plato’s Political assumption that government leaders should be truly lovers of
Philosophy and practice absolute exercise of power in a state? Do you believe that a true
Philosopher as a government leader will bring a good and just government? Explain your own
thoughts.20 pts.
— Yes, I agree on Plato’s assumption that leaders must be lovers of philosophy who are
intellectuals, ethical and morally good. But I disagree that they must practice absolute
 exercise of power towards the state. A man with knowledge is a great leader and
capable of making bold decisions. But being intellectual does not equate to being
empathetic. Empathy to the needs of its people. The unheard, unseen, poverty-stricken,
discriminated and marginalized. The agonizing truth behind being intellectual is the
manner of being full of oneself They tend to take advantage of the ignorant, the low and
the poor.
— In my humble opinion, philosophers as government leaders does not necessarily mean
of having a good and just government. In accordance to the past regime on the
Philippine government, it is always the intellectuals and elite leaders who takes
advantage of their power. Thus, it only provokes dictatorship towards the nation, due to
the absolute power vested on them.

4. Plato in his book the Republic assumed the notion that a king should rule in an absolute type
government under an Absolute monarchy disregarding the essence of Democracy. Do you
believe in this theory? What will you prefer Democracy or Absolute monarchy? Defend your
answer by citing certain advantages and social benefits of the people 25pts.
— No, I don't believe in Plato's theory. I will choose democracy over absolute monarchy,
simply because it is a better government more accountable in making decisions. People
are eligible citizen to exercise the right to vote and elect leaders on their behalf. It caters
political involvement and inclusion for all. Also, it does not create a centralized power
for ruling over the people, hence, can make decisions to overturn the wanted rules and
regulations for their country. Unlike absolute monarchy, which holds supreme
autocratic authority, citizens have no say with all that decision processes a king or queen
would make. For it is not restricted by written laws or unwanted customs. Also, it
doesn't involve democratic process— leaders are not chosen by the people. There is a
greater tendency of abusing power which precedes to political dynasty and nepotism,
since these are often hereditary monarchies.

5. Explain Plato’s quotation that “Justice is desirable because of its consequences”. Defend why
the states punishment is just in maintaining a social order 15pts.
— Justice is desirable because of its consequences for men allows himself to avoid greater
evil from his unjust behavior. Since we can all suffer from each other's injustices, we
make a social contract agreeing to be just to one another. We only suffer under the
burden of justice because we know we would suffer worse without it. Hence, justice is
not something practiced for its own sake but something one engages in out of the fear
to suffer more. On the other hand, Punishment creates social order by simply utilizing
control over societies members. It's aim is to warn people from committing crimes
under the fear of being punished. The implementation of punishment to discourage
other potential offenders is justified by the general deterrence. If a criminal punishment
is used to dissuade people from committing crimes, the general population will feel
safer and more secure. To protect the innocent is more important than to improve the
guilty. Discouraging the crimes is necessary than reforming and rehabilitating the
criminals.
6. Explain Aristotle’s thoughts in this quotation which states that “It is evident that the state is the
creation of nature and that man is by nature a political animal” Reflect on this statement and
explain why Aristotle view man as a Political animal. 15pts.
— The state is a creation of nature for it consists of individuals that is under a law and
custom. Law abiding citizens, organized and part of the society. He who by nature and
not by accident is without a state is either above humanity or below it. He can be
labeled as tribeless, lawless, heartless one, who is untamed and civilized. Man by nature
is a political animal and deals that he is a social creature with a power of speech and
moral reasoning. Since men cannot flourish on its own, living in a society organized
intelligently is one factor that makes us human. Hence, can be termed as thinking
animal which differs from other being due to our ability to reason out and exercise our
rational thinking.

7. Do you agree in Aristotle’s view on the concept of Citizenship that according to him that men
should be living in a polis or a legal state and lives under its existing Laws? Explain that a man is
really to be considered moral and having ethical standards whenever men is following Laws of
the Government. 20pts.
— Yes, I agree that man should be living in polis under its existing laws in order to maintain
peace and order and govern the behavior of people in accordance with the norms of the
society. Law is an important aspect for it acts as a guideline to what is accepted and
morally just in a society. The four principles which consist of establishing standards,
maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberties and rights are factors that
shapes its citizen. Man are to be considered moral and has ethical standards for
following laws of the government for ethics provides guiding principle on what is the
right thing to do in all aspect of life. While the law generally furnish a more specific
routes so that the societies and institutions can be maintained. Both law and ethics have
the same goal of regulating human behavior in a way that is beneficial to civilized social
existence. Moreover, it asserts that law abiding citizens understood their participation in
engagement on a state. Conforming and responsible, capable of recognizing their
obligation, and intelligent as to what differs us to other being. And that entirely makes a
man ethical when they abide and follow laws under the government.