POLÍTICA - REVISÃO

Summary

In this video, Professor Ercílio da Costa explores the philosophical aspects of politics, tracing the evolution of political thought from Greek mythology to modern thinkers. He discusses key concepts such as the nature of citizenship, the role of the state, and the contrasting views of philosophers like Hobbes, Rousseau, and Machiavelli on human nature, governance, and freedom. The video delves into ideas of political power, the ethics of ruling, and the importance of education in transforming individuals into engaged citizens, all while examining the political systems that shape society today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Politics began with the myth of Prometheus and Epimetheus, where Prometheus stole wisdom and fire from the gods to give them to humans, helping them protect themselves from other animals but leading to violence and war among humans.
• 😀 Zeus sent Hermes to give humanity the art of politics, which was meant to prevent self-destruction. Politics is the art of living well together in a society or Polis, a term referring to the city-state in Ancient Greece.
• 😀 Aristotle defined humans as 'zoon politikon,' political animals, emphasizing the need for political skills to interact and live well in society.
• 😀 Citizenship has evolved throughout history, from being exclusive to free, property-owning men in Ancient Greece to being seen as a divine concept in the Middle Ages, and later as membership in the modern state.
• 😀 Different philosophers have different views on human nature: Hobbes saw humans as naturally selfish and in need of a strong, authoritarian government, while Rousseau believed humans are good by nature but corrupted by society.
• 😀 Emile Durkheim introduced the concept of social solidarity, likening society to a clock where every individual must contribute for the system to function smoothly.
• 😀 Immanuel Kant argued that all humans possess inherent dignity, which should be respected, laying the groundwork for modern human rights thinking.
• 😀 Ortega y Gasset viewed politics as a liberating force that transforms individuals from being egoistic 'mass men' into politically conscious citizens who care for the collective good.
• 😀 Sigmund Bauman introduced the idea of 'liquid modernity,' where values and institutions become fluid, and the individual becomes more egocentric, with the need for education to counteract this trend and develop responsible citizens.
• 😀 Niccolò Machiavelli's 'The Prince' advocates for rulers to be pragmatic, sometimes employing unethical methods (the ends justify the means) to maintain power, while emphasizing the need for strong military and laws.
• 😀 Machiavelli emphasized the need for rulers to control their military forces and understand human nature, sometimes acting as a 'lion' (strong) or a 'fox' (cunning), depending on the situation, and cautioned against arming the population if the ruler feels they are not loyal.

Q & A

What is the origin of the study of politics, as mentioned in the video?

The study of politics often begins with the myth of Prometheus and Epimetheus, where they were tasked by the gods to distribute gifts to animals. Due to Epimetheus' hasty distribution, humans were left vulnerable. Prometheus, seeking to remedy this, stole wisdom and fire to help humans survive and thrive.

Why did Zeus ask Hermes to give humans the art of politics?

Zeus, concerned about the possible self-destruction of humanity due to its misuse of wisdom and fire, instructed Hermes to give humans the art of politics. Politics was seen as a means to prevent humans from descending into chaos and violence.

What does 'politics' mean in ancient Greek context?

In ancient Greece, 'politics' referred to the art of living well in the Polis, which were city-states. It is the art of good neighborliness and harmonious coexistence within the community.

How did Aristotle view human nature in relation to politics?

Aristotle saw humans as 'zoologically' political animals, meaning they are beings who think and interact with each other. He believed that humans require politics to organize their relationships and live harmoniously in society.

How did the concept of citizenship evolve from Ancient Greece to the Modern Age?

In Ancient Greece, a citizen was a free man with possessions. In the Middle Ages, a citizen was seen as a servant of God and the church. By the modern era, citizenship expanded to being a member of the state with rights and responsibilities, influenced by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Emile Durkheim.

What is Thomas Hobbes' view of human nature and its impact on politics?

Hobbes believed that humans are naturally selfish and violent. To prevent anarchy and chaos, he advocated for a strong, authoritarian government, as seen in his work *Leviathan*, to control human behavior and maintain order.

How does Jean-Jacques Rousseau's view of human nature differ from Hobbes'?

Rousseau argued that humans are naturally good and that it is society that corrupts them. He believed that the social contract could help humans return to their natural state of goodness, contrasting Hobbes' more pessimistic view of human nature.

What is Emile Durkheim's concept of social solidarity?

Durkheim saw society as a large machine where each individual plays an essential role. Social solidarity means that each member contributes to the functioning of society, and the loss of any individual’s contribution harms the whole.

What is Ortega y Gasset's view on politics as a liberating force?

Ortega y Gasset argued that politics is emancipatory, transforming individuals from selfish, egoistic 'masses' into 'special' individuals who think collectively and live in solidarity. He emphasized the role of education in this transformation.

How does Machiavelli's *The Prince* address the relationship between ethics and politics?

Machiavelli’s *The Prince* discusses the pragmatic aspects of political power. He famously stated that 'the ends justify the means,' suggesting that rulers may have to use unethical methods, such as manipulation or violence, to maintain power and order.

What does Machiavelli mean by 'virtù' in the context of ruling?

In Machiavelli’s view, 'virtù' refers to a ruler's ability to shape their destiny and manipulate fortune through strength, cunning, and decisive action. A successful ruler must balance violence, law, and public consent to maintain control.

What are the two main types of political regimes discussed by Machiavelli?

Machiavelli distinguishes between hereditary principalities, which are passed down through families, and new principalities, which are acquired through force or fortune. He emphasizes that the acquisition and maintenance of new principalities depend on fortune, virtù, violence, and the consent of the people.