9200

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Examination in Philosophy

HILARY TERM 2009

Plato and Aristotle: Political Philosophy
Essay Topics
Candidates should submit essays on TWO of the following topics. The two essays
together should not amount to more than 10,000 words.
1.

In what respects, if any, do Plato and Aristotle follow different methods in

political philosophy?

2.

Does the producer class in Platos Republic have good reason to welcome the rule
of the guardians?

3.

In what way is the Laws better or worse than the Republic on questions in
political philosophy?

4.

How far does Aristotle agree or disagree with Plato in the Politics as a whole?

5.

How useful is Aristotles account of justice in the Ethics for his argument in the
Politics?

6.

Aristotles arguments in the Politics are based sometimes on considerations of

social stability, sometimes on his conception of the good life for the individual.
Is this a damaging criticism of Aristotles political philosophy?

7.

Do Aristotles remarks on political science (politik) throw any light on the

relation between moral and political philosophy?

8.

How legitimate are Platos and Aristotles appeals to nature in political

philosophy?