Wolin, Chapter 7:
Machiavelli.
1.
Wolin describes a distinct contribution by
Machiavelli, and conditions conducive to doing so in the Italy of his
time. Describe these. (176-9)
2.
What was the center of MachiavelliÕs
political morality? (186-7)
3.
How was MachiavelliÕs concept of power
distinct from what came before?
(187-93)
4.
For Machiavelli, violence is at the
center of the state. Is this an
unusual claim, according to Wolin? (197-8) The significance of Machiavelli might be that he theorized
violence in order to control it.
How so? (198-200)
5.
Is Machiavelli a relativist? (200-205) [Please use this definition of relativism: Moral judgments are not true, except within
the practices and beliefs of particular groups of people.]
6.
According to Wolin,
what role is played in his theory by the mass (of humans)? (205-211)
7.
How does Machiavelli propose that a
society controls the excesses of factions? (211-13)
Wolin, Chapter 8:
Hobbes.
1.
What
hallmarks of the new scientific age are evident in Hobbes? (214-18)
2.
For
Hobbes, what is political knowledge?
(220-1)
3.
Wolin claims that geometry, not science, is HobbesÕ
model for knowledge. What is the
distinction? (224)
4.
What
is Òprivate reasonÓ? (231) Why is
it dangerous? What is the
alternative for politics? Wolin lists this as an important original contribution of
Hobbes.
5.
How
does Wolin suggest we interpret state of nature
arguments? (235-6)
6.
How
did Hobbes define the problem of justice?
(241-3)
7.
HobbesÕ
view of religion in politics differed from that of Machiavelli. How so? (244-6) Are there machiavellian attributes
of religion in this
recent survey of young peopleÕs religious experience in the US?
8.
Wolin accuses Hobbes of having a very limited
understanding of interests. What
did Hobbes miss about interests?
(248-51)
9.
What
made the Hobbesian view of power ÒhollowÓ? (255)