Guernica, Pablo Picasso, 1937 Social and Political Philosophy Philosophy 320 Fall 2011 Syllabus PHILOSOPHY 320 Dr. Timothy J. Freeman Section 001 THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO CRN: 13104 OFFICE: OLD GYM #2 MWF 1:00-1:50 PM OFFICE: 933-9920; CELL: 345-5231 Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 111 [email protected] Office Hours: MWF 2:00-2:50 PM and by appointment Catalog course description PHIL 320 Social and Political Philosophy Good and right applied to economic, political, and religious establishments; obligation, freedom of dissent, capital punishment, violence, rights, revolution, and war. Pre: previous work in philosophy; PHIL 220 recommended. required text Political Thought, Michael Rosen & Jonathan Wolff. eds. Oxford University Press, 1999. Course Web Page http://tfreeman.net/Philosophy/320.html Phil 320: Social & Political Philosophy Fall 2011 Syllabus Course content This course will provide a survey of the issues and problems of Social & Political Philosophy. The central concern of Social & Political Philosophy might be said to be justice. There is, first of all, the question of what is the just society or just state. There is also the problem of retributive justice which concerns the just administration of punishment. Then there is the problem of distributive justice which concerns the just distribution of goods. The course begins with a brief historical background in reviewing the key elements of the political philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. We will then turn to the survey of the issues in Social & Political Philosophy in modern philosophy. The first concern is the question of human nature. Different conceptions of human nature lead to different theories regarding the justification of the state. After examining different conceptions of the social contract, and the problem of our obligations to obey the laws of the state, we will review some of the basic problems of democracy. We then examine different conceptions of liberty and rights. Next we turn to issues of economic justice: What are the rights to private property? How should the wealth of the society be distributed? Then there are a number of issues concerning justice between groups. There is, first of all, the question of justice in the international arena, in the relations between states, perhaps most importantly, the problem of when the use of force is justified. Is there ever a just war? What are the conditions of a just war? In further reviewing justice between groups we consider questions concerning the rights of minorities and our obligations to future generations, or the issue of distributive justice in the international arena. We will then consider some of the challenges to the tradition of Liberalism which has, to some extent, dominated modern social and political theory in the West. course aims In this course the student will gain a solid background in the history of Social and Political Philosophy. In reviewing the major works in this history and following the development of a number of key concepts, the student will have a better understanding of crucial issues that frame contemporary political debate. The landscape of this debate is, of course, quite contentious, and one of the primary aims of this course is to foster a healthy conversation about some of the difficult issues of the day that divide us as a people. This problem of how we deal with these controversial issues might be considered the bedrock problem of democracy–the problem of freedom. If we do have, however limited, some say in shaping our government, then we have some responsibility to try and understand these issues; and if democracy is to thrive and not give way to tyranny then we must be able to engage in a real dialogue about them. In order to achieve this aim of developing this conversation, it must be clear at the outset that it is not at all necessary that we come to any agreement about any of these issues. There is certainly no obligation upon the student to agree with the instructor concerning the topics of debate. Classroom discussion among the students will be strongly encouraged and even expected. The key to developing a dialogue that might be a model for a thriving democracy is that respect for persons be maintained even when ideas are challenged. Through classroom discussion and written assignments the course also aims to develop critical thinking, as well as oral and written communication skills. Phil 320: Social & Political Philosophy Fall 2011 Syllabus grading policy The final grade will be based on the following 1. Mid-Term Exam. 30% 2. Essay Paper: a 6-10 page essay paper. 40% 3. Final Exam. 30% 4. Attendance is important! More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively impact your grade for the course. Every fourth unexcused absence will result in 10 points deducted from the final grade average. Grading will be determined according to the following scale: A 95-100 Excellent C+ 77-79 A% 90-94 C 74-76 Satisfactory B+ 87-89 C% 70-73 B 84-86 Good D 60-70 Poor B% 80-83 F 0-59 Failure Course format Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion with emphasis on informal lecture. classroom policies All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and pen suitable for taking notes of class lectures. No laptop computers are to be used during class time. Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class. No consumption of food is allowed during the class period. Student Conduct Code All students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code as explained in the University of Hawaii at Hilo 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog: Advising Statement Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once a semester to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options and other educational opportunities provided by UH-Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility, but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements. Special needs Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University Disability Services Office - Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, 933-0816 (V), 933-3334 (TTY), [email protected] - as early in the semester as possible. Philosophy 320: Social & Political Philosophy Fall 2011 Course Schedule 1 Introduction M 08/22 Course Orientation W 08/24 Plato: Selections from the Apology & the Republic F 08/26 Aristotle: Selections from the Politics 2 Human Nature M 08/29 The Natural State of Mankind R & W (7-23) W 08/31 The Natural State of Mankind R & W (23-33) F 09/02 Man’s Nature and Woman’s Nature R & W (34-51) 3 The Justification of the State M 09/05 Holiday: Labor Day W 09/07 What is the State?/The Social Contract R & W (52-61) F 09/09 The Social Contract R & W (62-65) 4 The Justification of the State M 09/12 Against the Social Contract R & W (66-72) W 09/14 The Anarchist Response R & W (73-77) F 09/16 Civil Disobedience R & W (78-88) 5 Democracy and Its Difficulties M 09/19 Against Democracy/Democratic Ideals R & W (89-102) W 09/21 True and False Democracy/Dangers in Democracy R & W (103-110) F 09/23 Democracy and Bureaucracy/The Separation of Powers R & W (111-118) Philosophy 320: Social & Political Philosophy Fall 2011 Course Schedule 6 Liberty and Rights M 09/26 What is Liberty? R & W (119-132) W 09/28 Law and Morality R & W (133-141) F 09/30 Toleration and Free Expression R & W (142-154) 7 Mid-Term Exam M 10/03 Review & Discussion W 10/05 *Mid-Term Exam* F 10/07 *No class: (PACT Conference)* 8 Liberty and Rights M 10/10 Virtue and Citizenship R & W (155-171) W 10/12 Rights R & W (172-180) F 10/14 Punishment R & W (181-186) **10/14 Last Day to Withdraw from Courses with “W”** 9 Economic Justice M 10/17 Private Property R & W (187-202) W 10/19 Private Property R & W (202-213) F 10/21 The Market R & W (214-223) 10 Economic Justice M 10/24 Theories of Distributive Justice R & W (224-231) W 10/26 Theories of Distributive Justice R & W (231-241) F 10/28 Theories of Distributive Justice R & W (241-254) Philosophy 320: Social & Political Philosophy Fall 2011 Course Schedule 11 Justice between Groups M 10/31 Peace and War R & W (255-260) W 11/02 Peace and War R & W (260-263) F 11/04 Peace and War R & W (263-266) 12 Justice between Groups M 11/07 Nationalism R & W (267-284) W 11/09 Nationalism R & W (267-284) F 11/11 *Holiday: Veterans Day* 13 Justice between Groups M 11/14 Minority Rights R & W (285-291) W 11/16 Intergenerational Justice R & W (292-299) F 11/18 International Justice R & W (300-318) 14 Alternatives to Liberalism M 11/21 Liberal Theory under Strain R & W (319-325) W 11/23 Conservatism R & W (326-334) TH 11/25 *Holiday: Thanksgiving* 15 Alternatives to Liberalism M 11/28 Communitarianism R & W (335-344) W 11/30 Socialism R & W (345-358) F 12/02 Post-modernism R & W (359-365) 16 Progress and Civilization M 12/05 The Problem of Civilization R & W (366-382) W 12/07 Utopianism and the End of History R & W (383-388) W 12/14 **Final Exam** (11:50am-1:50pm) **schedule is subject to revision**.