1 Introduction to Political Philosophy

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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.


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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.


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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).


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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.


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The Birth of Modern

Political Philosophy (1651-1789)

Hobbes (1588-1678) Locke (1632-1704)

Rousseau (1712-1778)


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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.


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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.


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The Birth of Political Economy

Locke (1632-1704)

Smith (1723-1790)

Hegel (1770-1831) Marx (1818-1883)

Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937)


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Adam Smith (1632-1704)

Men are by nature a self-interested individuals.

The government should not interfere in the market

place.


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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.


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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.


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John Rawls (1921-2002) (Post-Modern)

Justice as Fairness.

The theory of justice and political liberalism.

The original position (veil ofignorance).


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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.


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Response to Foundationalism

Feminism

Multiculturalism

Islam


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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.

1 Introduction to Political Philosophy

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