PHIL 410 A: Social Philosophy

Autumn 2020
Meeting:
TTh 10:30am - 12:20pm / * *
SLN:
20195
Section Type:
Lecture
Instructor:
REQUIRES ONE PREVIOUS COURSE IN PHILOSOPHY OFFERED VIA REMOTE LEARNING
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

PHIL 410A  SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY (5 Credits) (W-Course)

Talbott

 

The central focus of the course will be on liberty, especially on the question of whether the preservation of some sort of liberty rights has or ought to have priority over other social values.  The course will begin with a review of three different theories of liberty rights:  a natural rights account (Judith Jarvis Thomson), a utilitarian account (J.S. Mill), and a social contract account (John Rawls).  The course will then consider questions concerning the justification of restrictions, especially paternalist restrictions, on individual liberty.  Among the issues to be discussed are:  limits on freedom of expression; laws prohibiting suicide and assisted suicide; laws prohibiting contracts of indentured servitude (temporary or permanent slavery); and laws prohibiting use of certain drugs.  Requirements:  In-class assignments; one 6-8 page paper, a midterm exam, and a term paper.  Prerequisites:  The course is suitable for non-majors.  No First-Year Students. [W-Course] Meets I&S Requirement.

 

TEXTS:  J. S. Mill, On Liberty; John Rawls, Political Liberalism; J.J. Thomson, The Realm of Rights; and documents available through Canvas.

Catalog Description:
An examination of topics pertaining to social and political structures and institutions such as liberty, distributive justice, equality and race, and human rights. Course equivalent to: T PHIL 410.
GE Requirements Met:
Social Sciences (SSc)
Writing (W)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
November 2, 2024 - 4:58 pm