Philosophy 170 - Problems in Social Thought

This course serves as an introduction to social and political philosophy. We will consider a gamut of issues related to how society should be structured, the nature of political authority and justice, and how certain social and institutional structures contribute to various social inequities. More specifically, we will consider the following sorts of questions: What kinds of societies are ideal for human beings? What is the role of government in those societies? Given that serious moral transgressions have affected how most contemporary societies are arranged, how should we characterize and respond to injustice and oppression in our non-ideal world? What role does the social pursuit of knowledge play in sustaining racist, sexist, or homophobic norms and institutions and what role can it play in overturning them? What obligations do we have towards global citizens who aren?t members of our immediate culture, community or country? Readings will include a combination of classic and contemporary texts in social and political philosophy. No prior philosophical experience is required. (Gen. Ed. SB)