7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
1/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
2/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
3/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
4/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
5/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
6/26
Pre-modern
Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.) The Socratic Method.
Asking questions and offering counter-
examples in a manner which ultimately leadsthe other person to reach the right (or at least
a better) conclusion.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
7/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
8/26
Aristotle
Political animals.
Humans have an obligation to
be active participants in the
formulation of ethics in a polis.
When people rationally
determine the ethics of a polls,
the result has been called the
golden mean.
Ethics reached by consensus in
a political community.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
9/26
Absolute and Relative Morality
Aristotle is advocating relative morality (model
is changed ifdoesnt fit reality).
Socrates is advocating absolute morality(reality have to be change if its doesnt fit the
model).
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
10/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
11/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
12/26
Renaissance and Modernity
A shift occurs Humanism: A displacement of
the otherworldly values of the middle ages
in favor of a belief in the potential of
humanity in this world.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
13/26
The Birth of Modern
Political Philosophy (1651-1789)
Hobbes (1588-1678) Locke (1632-1704)
Rousseau (1712-1778)
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
14/26
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (1651)
In a state of nature there isa war of every man againstevery man
To secure peace men makecontracts establishing asovereign power who is notsubject to civil law since byits will it creates the law.
Monarchy is the mosteffective in securing peace.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
15/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
16/26
Jean Jacques Rousseau
The Social Contract(1762)
Natural man is motivated by love of self, only
cares about self preservation.
Natural man is not motivated by greed or love
of material goods.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
17/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
18/26
The Birth of Political Economy
Locke (1632-1704)
Smith (1723-1790)
Hegel (1770-1831) Marx (1818-1883)
Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937)
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
19/26
Adam Smith (1632-1704)
Men are by nature a self-interested individuals.
The government should not interfere in the market
place.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
20/26
Georg Hegel (1770-1831)
Society must be allowed to express their
feelings and interests.
State represents the interest of universal
values.
Act like an umpire.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
21/26
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
It is not fair that the owners of
business make all the money
and profit, when the workers
are the ones actually doing the
work!
Exploitation of workers by
capitalists will lead to a
revolution of the workers and
eventually to communismtaking hold.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
22/26
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
23/26
John Rawls (1921-2002) (Post-Modern)
Justice as Fairness.
The theory of justice and political liberalism.
The original position (veil ofignorance).
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
24/26
The Principle of Justice
1. Equal right to equal liberties.
2. Social and economic equalities :
(a) the greatest benefit of the leastadvantaged;
(b) equal work opportunity.
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
25/26
Response to Foundationalism
Feminism
Multiculturalism
Islam
7/29/2019 1 Introduction to Political Philosophy
26/26
Question and Reference
What is absolutism? How do current
political philosophers respond to
absolutism?
Reference:
De Lue, Steven M. (2002). Political Thinking, Political Theory,and Civil Society. NY: Pearson Education Inc.
Top Related