Political Philosophy
PHIL 278
Fall 2013
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01
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This course examines whether the principles that guide our political views on crime, punishment, and justice are to be found in nature or a rational source (right and law). We will examine these two main themes, beginning with authors who explain political life by referring to nature, naturalized norms, and power: Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Rousseau. We begin with the pessimistic moral psychology lying at the basis of Machiavelli and Hobbes' political writings on power and sovereignty. We examine Rousseau's account of natural inequalities in a state of nature; and his account of how the moral psychology of the pre-political condition (state of nature) gets developed in the political sphere through civic education. Other themes will include the power of individuals to cultivate themselves autonomously and free from constraints; radical autonomy; and expressive unity with nature. We examine problems with placing natural norms at the basis of political theories. Alternatively, in an attempt to rectify these problems, we will look at philosophers who relate the basic political concepts and principles to issues of right and law. Topics will include theories of property, crime, and punishment in Kant, Hegel, and Marx. We will discuss the conditions under which rebellion, resistance, and civil disobedience justified; whether Hegel's organicist model of the state detrimental to the freedom of individuals; the contrast between acquired rights v. intrinsic rights; and finally, whether the transition away from nature toward right and law indicates a conservative bias detrimental to individualistic self-realization and self-expression. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PHIL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (HRAD-MN)(PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Niccolo Machiavelli: THE PRINCE, 2nd ed. trans. Harvey Mansfield (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, c1985)
Hobbes: LEVIATHAN, ed. Richard Tuck (Cambridge: Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought, c1991)
Rousseau, Jean Jacques. DISCOURSES AND OTHER EARLY POLITICAL WRITINGS (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press): from the SECOND DISCOURSE: "Origins of Inequalities in Nature" [Coursepack, CP]
Rousseau, Jean Jacques. Selections from the SOCIAL CONTRACT and other Later political writings, ed. Victor Gourevitch (Cambridge: Cambridge UP, c 1997). [CP]
Kant, Immanuel. Selections from METAPHYSICS OF MORALS. Ed. Mary Gregor (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, c1996). [CP]
Hegel. ELEMENTS OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF RIGHT. Ed. Allen Wood (Cambridge UP, 1991).
Marx. THE MARX-ENGELS READER, second edition, ed. Robert C. Tucker (Norton, 1978)
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Examinations and Assignments:
2 papers |
| Instructor(s): Hahn,Susan Times: .M.W... 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: PAC004; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 7 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 5 | FR: X |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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