CVSP 202 Final, Fall 2007

Civilization Sequence 202 Final Examination Fall 2007/2008 Aida Arasoghli Two Hours Answer TWO of the following questions: 1. “ Whenever we observe people who possess group feeling and who have gained control over many lands and nations, we find in them an eager desire for goodness and good qualities…” Ibn Khaldun, The Muqaddimah, p. 112 a. Explain the quotation with specific reference to The Muqaddimah and the letter of Tahir b. al-Husayn. b. How would Machiavelli deal with such qualities? Discuss with specific examples from The Prince. 2. Give a detailed assessment of the following: a. Ibn Khaldoun’s views on Assabiyah, Bedouins and sedentary people as natural groups. b. The reasons for untruth in historical information. c. Different stages that a dynasty goes through. 3. Identify and discuss the main themes in two of the following quotations: a. “ So, you can understand how love must be the seed of every virtue growing in you, and every deed that merits punishment.” Dante, Purgatory, Canto XVII b. “… He will find that some of the things that appear to be virtues will, if he practises them, ruin him, and some of the things that appear to be vices will bring him security and prosperity.” Machiavelli, The Prince, Ch. XV c. “ The Law makes philosophic studies obligatory.” Ibn Rushd, On The Harmony of Religion and Philosophy. 4. Discuss two of the following: - Dante’s views on Free Will, faith and reason. - Al-Ghazali’s cure from skepticism “by a light which God most high cast into my breast.” - Machiavelli’s argument on how a prince should organize his militia. PLEASE DO NOT DUPLICATE YOUR ANSWERS