1. Political Philosophy & The Good Society
Questions to Guide our Studies

2. In your groups, answer the following
What is the purpose of government?
What is one Absolute Responsibility in society?
What is one Absolute Right in society?
What is Justice?
Who should rule a society (talent, wealth, knowledge, wit, image, vision, strength)?

3. Justice: An ideal or a pipedream?
Attempt to define the word Justice.
What is the most unjust event you can recall?
What is an event that you think epitomizes justice?
When is it ever right to act unjustly?
Does justice exist outside of law?
Compared to others is the U.S. just?

4. What type of society is best?
Are large Urban societies preferable?
Are less populated rural areas better?
Is society itself not preferred?

5. How much power should government have over its people?
Should the government have the right to draft people for war?
Does the government have the power of life/death over its citizens?
Is government ultimately just a newer version of rule of the strongest over the weak?

6. What structures/rules ought a society have to support Justice?
“Remember when White people say ‘Justice’ they mean ‘just us’.” –African Proverb
How should punishments be determined if a rule is broken?
What is the role of punishments in a society?
Do Laws make a difference? How? Why not?

7. What Human Rights should be guaranteed by society?
Is not engaging in society a human right?
Is education a right?
If so, who should be ‘forced’ to provide/pay it (parents, gov’t, self)?
What action/event has done the most for human rights in the past 50 years?

8. What should this unit teach you?
1). What does Justice mean?
2). Theories of political organization
-Conservative -Liberal -Radical
3). Theories of government organization
-Anarchism -Libertarianism -Socialism Republicanism

9. Homework – Read pgs
Before reading the chapter, answer 5 of the 10 opening questions (pgs ).
Be sure to answer in complete sentences. Each question should have at least a 1 paragraph response (4-6 sentences).
Also, answer 6th question (all must answer the following question):
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT?