Aristotle:
1. Aristotle claims that the state is prior to the individual.
What does this mean?
2. Explain briefly Aristotle's explanation of the progression
of human association from the association of man and woman to the family,
to the village, and finally, to the political state.
3. How does Socrates describe political states? Which one
does he claim is best for free, equal human beings?
4. In what ways are monarchy and aristocracy acceptable forms
of state?
5. What is the distinction between a true state and a perverted
one?
Hobbes
1. What are the three equalities that exist in the state of nature?
2. What are the causes of quarrel?
3. What is the difference between the state of nature and the
state of war?
4. What does it mean when Hobbes claims that in the state of
nature, everyone has a right to everything?
5. Is it the case that Hobbes claims that the behavior of people
in the state of nature is sinful? Why?
6. How are morality and peace attained? How are the laws
of nature recognized? What is the primary passion that leads us to
peace? What are the three passions that lead to peace?
7. What is the distinction between a right of nature and a law
of nature?
8. What are Hobbes' first, second, and third laws of nature,
and how are they related?
9. Why does Hobbes argue for absolute government?
10. What is a social contract?
Locke
1. How does Locke describe the state of nature? How does
he describe the state of war?
2. What is Locke's law of nature? How is it different from
Hobbes' fundamental law of nature?
3. How does Locke explain the origin and nature of property in
the state of nature?
4. According to Locke, for what reason does government exist?
5. Why, according to Locke, must government power be limited?
6. In Locke's political theory, what is our most basic duty with
respect to others?
7. What are the two main reasons offered by Locke to show that
it would be impractical and unreasonable to establish absolute government?
8. What is Locke's general view of human nature? How does
it differ from that of Hobbes?
Mill, *On Liberty*
1. What is paternalism?
2. For Mill, what is the only justifiable reason that government
may interfere in the freedom of a person?
3. What is the harm principle?
4. What is the ultimate determinant of all questions in Mill's
social and political system?
5. What is liberty's proper domain?
6. What is the tyranny of the majority? Why is it worse
than the tyranny of government?
7. What is the benefit of the free flow of thought and ideas?
That is, why is censorship generally wrong?