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Apr 16, 2026
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PHL 3206 - Social and Political Philosophy3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
What is the function of a state, and from where does its legitimacy derive? Why should human beings like us participate in and accede to political arrangements, especially when this may involve deliberately relinquishing power and curbing self-interest? Are some political arrangements legitimate while others are not? Why? What are the principles underlying a just state or social arrangement? In this course, students will explore these and other fundamental questions in social and political philosophy by charting certain key moments in its history. While much of this philosophical tradition addresses what a just society or state would resemble under ideal conditions, much contemporary work has turned to the question of what actions are warranted under non-ideal conditions of social or political injustice. Students will consider both approaches to social and political philosophy. Major elements of this course include close and critical reading of challenging philosophical texts, reconstruction and evaluation of philosophical arguments, and independent reflection and reasoning on topics and positions within social and political philosophy.
Prereq: None
Note: None
This course meets the following Raider Core CLO Requirement: Exhibit Curiosity
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of some of the key themes and questions in social and political philosophy
- Exhibit familiarity with key theories, positions, and thinkers in social and political philosophy
- Articulate philosophical questions and positions within social and political philosophy clearly and precisely, explaining their significance, context, and further implications
- Reconstruct and analyze philosophical arguments within social and political philosophy in a way that displays evidence of clear, critical, and precise thinking
- Engage in comparative analysis and evaluation of different philosophical perspectives on key topics in social and political philosophy
- Engage in independent philosophical inquiry, dialogue, and argument through both discussion and written work
- Recognize the bearing of social and political philosophical inquiry on real-world problems (e.g., the implications of luck egalitarianism for tax policy and wealth distribution)
Prerequisites by Topic
Course Topics
- Plato’s political philosophy in the Republic
- Machiavelli’s political philosophy in The Prince
- General features of social contract theories
- Hobbes’ social contract theory
- Locke’s social contract theory
- Rousseau’s social contract theory
- Bentham and Mill’s utilitarian social and political thought
- Marx’s social and political thought
- Rawls’ political philosophy
- Nozick’s political philosophy
- Non-ideal critique of ideal theory
- Race and social contract theories (e.g., Mills’ critique)
- Feminist critiques of social contract theories and liberalism
- Communitarianism as an alternative to liberalism
- Shelby’s defense of liberalism
- Nussbaum’s defense of liberalism
- Applied issues (e.g., freedom of speech, ethics of immigration, “private government” of corporations and employers, etc.)
Coordinator
Dr. Andrew McAninch
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