PHI 354 - Political Philosophy & Social Justice (1)

Investigation into the foundation and nature of the political state concerning such concepts as legitimate authority, individual and collective rights, notions of fairness, justice and equality and how such notions play out in social, political, and economic systems. We will examine divergent philosophical theories on how best to structure the political realm in order to achieve a diverse array of purposes and goals from common happiness of the whole to individual liberty to distributive equality and goods for all. Specific social justice issues concerning wealth distribution, social and political opportunity and equality will be addressed. This will involve critical examination of major political philosophers from ancient times to contemporary views such as Plato, Confucius, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, John Stuart Mill, John Rawls, Robert Novick, Isaiah Berlin and Martha Nussbaum. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered every third year.
(Humanities) (Writing Encounter)