This course explores the main responses to this question in the modern West. We begin with an overview of the major political theories of the Enlightenment: utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition. In each case, we begin by examining the classical formulations, placing them in historical context, but then move on to contemporary debates that are relevant to contemporary politics.
We then turn to the rejection of Enlightenment political thinking, again exploring both classical and contemporary formulations. The last part of the course examines the nature and rationale of democratic politics and its relationship to Enlightenment and anti-Enlightenment political thinking.
In addition to exploring the theoretical differences between the various authors discussed, considerable attention is paid to the practical implications of their competing arguments. To this end, we discuss a variety of specific issues, including debates over economic inequality, affirmative action and the distribution of health care, the limits of state power in regulating speech and religion, and the difficulties associated with the emerging threat of global environmental impact. decay.
WEEK 1
Welcome to the Moral Foundations of Politics
Welcome to the course. Meet your instructor and learn about the structure of the course and what makes it different.
WEEK 2
Political Theory of the Enlightenment
This module explores what makes a government legitimate. More specifically, was the Third Reich illegitimate and was Eichmann violating a higher law here?
WEEK 3
Utilitarianism: classical and neoclassical
Classical and neoclassical utilitarianism are examined in this module, starting with the historical context. Prof. Shapiro then moves on to contemporary debates that are relevant to contemporary politics.
WEEK 4
Marxism, its defeats and legacy
This module on Marx’s theory of the Enlightenment focuses on the foundations of his theory of capitalism and its major shortcomings.
WEEK 5
The Social Contract Tradition I
This module looks at classical formulations of the Social Contract Tradition, locating them in historical context, but then shifts to contemporary debates as they relate to politics today.
WEEK 6
The Social Contract Tradition II
This module looks at classical formulations of the Social Contract Tradition, locating them in historical context, but then shifts to contemporary debates as they relate to politics today.
WEEK 7
Anti-Enlightenment Politics
This module explores the rejection of Enlightenment political thinking, again exploring both classical and contemporary formulations.
WEEK 8
Democracy
This module deals with the nature of, and justifications for, democratic politics, and their relationship to Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment political thinking.