Photo: Colleen Hayes / NBC.

Photo: Colleen Hayes / NBC.

Course Description

“Justice”, says the philosopher John Rawls, “is the first virtue of social institutions…. Laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well-arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust.” Certainly it is difficult to overstate the important of justice in evaluating our political institutions. However, there remains the question of precisely what it is that justice demands. This invites serious and sustained consideration of how we ought to organize and structure our laws and political institutions, which is a (if not the) fundamental issue in political philosophy.

In this course, we will undertake an analysis of some extremely influential accounts of the justification and legitimate purpose of the state, considering how the basic structures of society influence how we engage with each other as free and equal citizens. In particular, we will look at the development of the social contract tradition, and some critical responses to it.

As you will soon see, these issues of justice, political legitimacy, and the nature of the social contract do not have obvious right and wrong answers, nor will I tell you which positions are right and which are wrong within political philosophy. It is ultimately up to you, and to you alone, to reach your own conclusions on these difficult matters.

As a result, my primary goal is to cultivate your cognitive and affective capacities for critical reflection and practical deliberation about political issues. This will better equip you to understand these issues for yourself and, in turn, meaningfully engage with others about them. After all, only the hermit stranded alone on a desert island lives in isolation, outside of all political organizations. For the rest of us, we must be prepared to secure the legitimate cooperation of those with whom we may disagree. This is a core principle of political participation, and I will do my best to immerse you in the deliberative process it entails.

Photo: Vivian Zink / NBC.

Learning Outcomes

This course introduces you to the field of Political Philosophy by exploring issues pertaining to justice, political legitimacy, and their relationship to the idea of a social contract. Along the way, you will learn (I hope!) more about yourself and your views on these issues.

To help guide us, this course has five learning outcomes. By this May, you will be able to…

1. Explain and summarize arguments within philosophical texts;
2. Apply these arguments to the difficult local, national, and global political debates that currently confront us;
3. Assess competing claims concerning the origin and purpose of the state along with how it ought to govern our collective practices;
4. Reflect on your own assumptions and form more considered judgments on issues of justice and political legitimacy; and
5. Communicate your understanding and analysis of these issues through written discourse.

I have designed each course requirement with these in mind.

Learning Resources

There are no textbooks to buy for this course. I have posted all the readings in PDF along with some reading questions for you to consult. I expect you to read that material according to the class schedule.

This website and UB Learns will also have assignments and other course materials, along with any updates to our schedule.

Class Structure

This course follows the principle of experiential learning, where you learn not only from me but also from your discussions and interactions with your classmates. Indeed, like any activity, you get better at philosophy the more you actually do it. As a result, the quality of the course depends critically on your individual attention and participation. The purpose of us coming together as a class is to learn and engage in these discussions as a group.

Our class meetings will therefore be driven by discussion of the readings and the arguments they contain. This gives you opportunities to actively practice philosophy, rather than passively absorb what others may say about philosophical issues. To help keep you engaged, I will do my best to make our class meetings worthwhile and time well spent. I will also take special care to create an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions and expressing your own views.

However, a few words of warning about this interactive format:

• Recognize that philosophy is a full-contact sport, but we are all on the same team. In our discussions, we must cooperate and work together wrestling with the arguments—while not attacking the person(s) expressing them. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
• To get the most out of our class meetings, please do not confuse this cooperative style of learning with mere conversation or informal, organized chatting.

The value of your contribution to this shared experience explains the strict attendance policy, along with my high expectations associated with participation.

Announcements & Other Communication

I will email important information to you throughout the semester, so routinely check your UB email for updates. Otherwise, I will gladly answer your questions, discuss your work, or respond to your concerns. Please see me at my office (Park Hall 118) or send me an email.

Keep in mind that I primarily read university-related email during my regular “business” hours (weekdays from 9:00AM to 5:00PM). Emails received outside of that time may not receive a response until I am back on campus. Of course, simple requests may be answered more promptly.