Students’ Questions about History Page 19

Thomas Hobbes believed that humans were naturally aggressive and selfish, and that society needed strong government controls to keep people in line.

Thomas Hobbes believed that humans are naturally selfish and that this is the cause of most conflict.

Aristotle believed that morality was based on reason and that people could use their reason to figure out what the right thing to do was.

“One word that Confucius felt encapsulated all of his teachings was ‘ren'”

“For Confucius, the word that best summed up his teachings was ‘ren'”

The bourgeoisie are the capitalists who own the means of production, while the proletariat are the workers who sell their labor.

Aristotle believed that the cause of the tragic hero or heroine’s suffering was due to their own personal flaw.

In a capitalist system, the social relations that matter most are those between the capitalists and the workers.

The ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau were similar to those of John Locke in that they were both based on the belief that people are born free and equal.

Happiness is acquired by leading a virtuous life in accordance with reason. This entails being prudent, just, courageous, and temperate, and leads to a life of contemplation and happiness.

Social change would be accomplished through the working class overthrow of the bourgeoisie, which would lead to a classless society.