Mid-Term Exam Study Guide

I. A Word About the Format

The exam will be divided into two unequal parts. The first part, which will be worth one-third of the grade, will be a short-answer section. You might be given Aristotle's name and asked to provide the most essential of the data given in class. Or you might be given a term like Aristotle's "mean" and asked to characterize it in fifty words or less. Or you might be given a crucial term from Aquinas like 'form' or 'matter' and asked to explain what he means by it. The purpose of this part of the examination is to test how much you know about the crucial people and ideas we have discussed so far. These can be drawn from any part of the course, and will not be given in advance.

The second part, which will be worth two-thirds of the grade, will consist of two essay questions. You may have some choice about which to answer. The essay questions will be drawn verbatim from the list below. You will not be permitted to consult notes, books or other people during the exam. Blue books will be provided for the exam; you will be asked to put all notes, books and papers under your seat for the duration of the test.

II. The Questions

1. Lay out the essentials of three great "similes" at the heart of the Republic: the simile of the divided line, the simile of the sun and the simile of the Cave. Explain what Plato is attempting to convey with each, being sure to indicate the logical relationships among the three.
2. Explain Plato's three-part division of the human soul, being sure to indicate how Plato argues that there are three divisions. Then say who Plato thinks would rule in an ideal state and why, being sure to draw on his discussion of the soul's divisions. Finally, indicate what sort of education Plato thinks rulers should have in the ideal state, and explain this with reference to the divided line. (You need not explain the divided line further than is necessary to characterize the education of the rulers.)
3. One of the greatest works of Greek literature is the Peloponnesian Wars by the historian Thucydides. At one point, according to Thucydides, one of the Athenian leaders gave a speech that included the following:

   …a city with the worse laws, if immoveable, is better than one with good laws, when they be not binding; and that a plain wit accompanied with modesty, is more profitable to the state than dexterity with arrogance; and that the more ignorant sort of men do, for the most part, better regulate a commonwealth than they that are wiser. For these love to appear wiser than the laws, and in all public debatings to carry the victory, as the worthiest things wherein to show their wisdom; from whence most commonly proceedeth the ruin of the states they live in. Whereas the other sort, mistrusting their own wits, are content to be esteemed not so wise as the laws, and not able to carp at what is well spoken by another: and so making themselves equal judges rather than contenders for mastery, govern a state for the most part well. We therefore should do the like; and not be carried away with combats of eloquence and wit, to give such counsel to your multitude as in our own judgments we think not good. (Cleon, in Thucydides' The History of the Peloponnesian War, Book III, Paragraph 37, translation by Thomas Hobbes)

   Explain clearly what the speaker is saying in this passage, indicating why it might seem a challenge to Plato's conception of rulership in the ideal state. Then indicate how Plato would respond. Finally, indicate whether you agree with Plato or the speaker, being sure to defend your answer.

4. Explain the various types of friendship Aristotle discusses. Then indicate why he seems to think that only virtuous people can enjoy perfect friendship. Would Aristotle think that men and women can enjoy perfect friendship? Why or Why not? Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Answer the questions about men, women and perfect friendship with reference to When Harry Met Sally.
5. What does Aristotle mean by "rational activity"? Indicate how he argues that human happiness must consist in rational activity. What are his reasons for denying that happiness consists in pleasure? What are his reasons for denying that it consists in the accumulation of wealth? Do you agree with him on these two points? Why or why not?
6. What does Aristotle mean by "virtue"? Explain why Aristotle thinks the acquisition of virtue is necessary for leading a good human life and why he thinks virtues must be acquired by "habituation."  
7. On what grounds does Aquinas argue that human happiness consists in the vision of the divine essence? Be sure to indicate how Aquinas's argument depends on his analysis of human capacities. On what grounds does he argue that it is not wealth, honor and pleasure? Compare these arguments to Aristotle's arguments for the same claims, being sure to indicate whose arguments you think are stronger and why.

III. How to Study

The total reading for the course so far is relatively few pages. The best thing to do would be to reread all the assignments, while going through the lecture notes, trying to fit the two together. You are being tested on the philosophers we have studied, NOT on me. What is said in lecture is supposed to help you through the texts, but is not a substitute for them. As you put answers together, make sure that they indicate a grasp of the works of the philosophers, and do not simply repeat what was said in class. Answers that show no evidence of reading and comprehension will not be favorably received. 

Remember that the purpose of the exam is not to trick you. Its real purpose is to force you to study what is important in the course and to pull material together. The questions are given to you in advance to help you think about the course material and to indicate to you some of the material I take to be important. As you prepare your answers to them, remember that you will have approximately twenty minutes to write each essay. This means that your answers should be at most 400 words long, and probably somewhat less.

Take advantage of the opportunity presented to you when questions are given out in advance. Think about them, prepare good answers to them carefully, and most importantly, get together with other people to discuss the material and prepare answers. Discussion is the best way to learn, and you are strongly urged to engage in it. Remember that there will be no consultation, of notes or friends, permitted during the exam, so prepare ahead of time. 

IV. A Final Word