Scholasticism:
§ Scholasticism is a philosophic system based on Aristotelian principles. These principles were preserved through the Dark Ages by certain Arab philosophers. St. Thomas Aquinas was the most prominent of the scholastics. These philosophers, who would have a most difficult time defending themselves these days, are referred to in the history books as the "schoolmen." ("The frivolous Distinctions, barbarous Terms, and obscure Language of the Schoolmen." [Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, iv. xlvii. 383.])
Social Contract:
§ The theory runs as follows: Given a choice, a typical person would give up certain of his rights in exchange for peace and security. He would put himself under government and follow its rules, fairly made and fairly enforced. This arrangement is in the nature of a contract, an exchange. A citizen would be better able to secure his liberty and his property by giving up a little of each to a central authority. The idea of a social contract is premised on the notion that an individual's liberty and property are better secured if we band ourselves together than if we are left alone, each to our own devices.
The social contract theory was first developed by Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes wrote his "masterpiece of political philosophy" Leviathan, in 1651. It was eagerly picked up by Rousseau.
The first question anyone should ask about such a theory is why would pre-social or pre-civil man ever voluntarily agree to submit himself to the authority of another individual or group of individuals. He would only submit to the authority of another, if he figured, by so doing, his lot in life would be better. This in turn raised the question as to what life was like to pre-civil man. Hobbes had a nauseating view of man in his natural state. To espouse the beliefs of Hobbes is to accept that men are no better, seemingly worse, then a bunch of animals. Personally, though he be no angel, I subscribe to a more generous view of the nature of man.27
Syllogism:
§ Aristotle, in his Organon, held that any logical argument could be reduced to a sequence of 3 propositions; 2 premises and a conclusion; this is known as a syllogism. (See logic.)
