Phil 3200 - Social and Political Philosophy

What's Philosophy?

knowledge (epistemology), reality (meta-thinking), and value (ethics->nature)

rousseau =

born free-society corrupts, social structures lead to corruption, w/no gov't SoN is best

locke =

freedom, limited gov't promotes freedom and equality

hobbes =

absolute, give up freedom to gov't in exchange for security and protection

empathetic imaging

if this happened to me i would not like it, so i don't want it to happen to others

Absolutism (Political)

The view that the government should have undivided and unlimited power. Associated with Hobbes.

Authority (Political)

Refers to the "duty to obey" the state; if the state has authority, then you must obey, even if its laws are unjust or illegitimate. Most contemporary philosophers believe that the state does not have political authority, because there seems to be such a thing as an unjust law. Authority is conceptually distinct from "legitimacy".

Bildung

A German word referring to self-cultivation and harmony between the individual and their community. Contrast with "Reason" in Locke. Associated with Humboldt.

Character

The set of dispositions or personality traits that someone is morally responsible for. Virtues are instantiated in character traits. See "virtue".

City-state

An independent sovereign city with many features of contemporary states, such as borders, a standing military, a currency, etc. Common before the 17th century.Examples: Modern examples might include the Vatican, Singapore, and (before 1997) Hong Kong.

Civil Society

A term used by classic contract theorists (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau) to refer to life under government. In our class, used to refer broadly to "Commonwealth" and "the Sovereign".

Cosmopolitanism

A position on global justice characterized by (1) universal moral duties, which are (2) realized by any (state or non-state) means. Contrast with "nationalism".

Consent

A legitimate agreement between two or more parties.

Consequentialism

The moral theory that says that an act is right insofar as it produces good consequences. On this view, goodness is more fundamental than rightness. Example: It would be morally right to imprison an innocent person if we could save ten people.

De facto (authority)

A Latin phrase, meaning "in fact". Usually used to denote the state of affairs that compels one to obey apart from law.Examples: For Locke, there is de facto authority in the state of nature, because there is natural law that one must obey without the presence of government. Sometimes, people say that in the U.S., there is de facto racial segregation. People self-segregate, even though the law allows people to move wherever they want.

Deontology

Any moral theory that invokes principles or reasons apart from the consequences. So, the opposite of "consequentialism". On this view, rightness is more fundamental than goodness. Example: It would be wrong to imprison an innocent person to save the lives of ten people.

Descriptive (Claims or Statements or Judgements)

Claims that describe how the world is. Contrasted with "evaluative".Examples: The sky is blue; Derick lives in Denver; etc.

Duty

An obligation. Typically corresponds with "right".

Egoism (Moral)

The moral theory that an act is right if and only if it satisfies your desires.

Egoism (Psychological)

The descriptive theory that human beings largely or only act in their own self-interest, typically to obtain pleasure or avoid pain.Associated with Hobbes.

Evaluative (Claims or Statements or Judgments)

Claims that evaluative the world. Used interchangeably with "normative". Contrasted with "descriptive".Examples: Derick is a bad person; capitalism is unjust; slavery is immoral; etc.

Freedom

Negatively, it's the absence of obstacles (so-called "freedom from"); positively, it's the ability to act (so-called "freedom to").Used interchangeably with "liberty".

Inalienable

Cannot be abandoned or transferred.Example: Hobbes' "right of nature".

Justice

Refers to the proper arrangement, condition, and distribution of goods between (political) participants. Example: Slavery (the whole system) is unjust. By contrast, we usually just say that the (isolated and individual) act of Bob enslaving Jim is morally wrong.

Legitimacy (Political)

The state's moral "right to coerce". Many more philosophers think that some states are legitimate; that is, it seems possible that the state can legitimately create and enforce certain laws. Conceptually distinct from "authority".

LiberalismOr "classical liberalism"

the broad 18th century political philosophy characterized by (1) the moral equality of persons, (2) dignity and respect toward the individual, and (3) opposition to state-sanctioned coercion. These moral commitments typically entail strong limitations on the scope of government authority. Associated primarily with Humboldt and Mill.

Monarchy

A form of government where a single individual is identified with state sovereignty.Associated with Hobbes.

Nationalism

A position on global justice characterized by (1) particular moral duties to citizens, which are (2) realized through a state or nation-state. Contrast with "cosmopolitanism".

Permissible (Morally)

OK. Neither right nor wrong.Example: It is (morally) permissible to eat a banana.

Prima facie

A Latin phrase, often used in philosophy and law, meaning "on its face". It says, "it seems like..."Example: Killing is prima facie wrong. It seems wrong on its face.

Pro tanto

A Latin phrase, often used in philosophy and law, meaning "some things considered" or "to that extent". It answers the question, "how much?" with "a little bit". Example: Killing is pro tanto wrong. It is some-things-considered wrong. But if you kill in self-defense, then the killing was "all-things-considered" permissible.

Realpolitik

A term used to refer to the relation between sovereign states, where these states act in their own self-interest, because there is no higher authority to which they are subject. Political scientists use to the term "realism" now -- without reference to what is just or unjust, right or wrong. Example: Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement. Oh well -- that's realpolitik for you.

Right

A claim, entitlement, or privilege. Often generates to "duty". Example: Right to free speech; right to private property; right against bodily harm, etc. These rights generate duties, for instance, to not infringe on another's speech or property.

Scholasticism

An intellectual tradition that relies on reason to illuminate Christian theological truths.Rejected by Hobbes.

Social Contract

Describes (1) the origin and legitimacy of the state (see "state of nature"), and (2) the agreement between subjects required to form and render the state legitimate.

Sovereignty

A state's claim to itself -- generally its territorial boundaries, and full determination over domestic policy.

State of Nature

The condition of human beings without government.

Teleological

Refers to any view (or explanation of something) that is concerned with the "ends" or "design", "function", "purpose", "goal" of a thing in nature as opposed to it's function, means, or cause. Example: Because a knife was made for cutting, a good knife is one that cuts stuff well.

Utilitarianism

The view that an act is right if and only if it produces utility. This is an elaboration on consequentialism, as it explains what consequences are good.

Virtue

A morally good character trait. E.g., honesty, courage, generosity, kindness, compassion, etc. See "character".

What is the Socratic method?

1) ask questions 2) charity 3) objectives (using questions to encourage critical thinking)

What is the view that Socrates holds in the "Crito"?

1) only goodness of other beings matter = justice, rightness, duty, virtue, 'contract' -> consent

2) wrong to go with crito = legitimacy to law by following it

What are Crito's arguments for fleeing?

1) morally wrong -> to abandon your sons, you have a duty to children (unvirtuous)

2) reputation -> socrates making crito look bad, giving fuel to enemies

3) feasibility -> has the ability to leave with money & power

4) friendship and duty to friends above moral values (private friend duty)

What is Socrates' argument in the "Crito"

1) undermine's the justice system by escaping the rule of law

2) can't pick and choose what laws to adhere to, he is citizen so should adhere to all

3) was given right to exit and he chose not to

4) consent through words; expressed, actions; tacid

5) harms the city (he is valuable to city and if he leaves is untrustworthy)

Is Socrates' view in the "Crito" an expression of social contract theory?

Yes = explicit argument, tacit (implicit) argument, idea of 'abandoning' the 'contract'

No = origin of state? citizen relationship?

Overview of Hobbes' social contract theory?

people should willingly give up freedom to authority in exchange for security and protection (need authority)

What are the three main "causes of quarrel" in Hobbes' state of nature?

competition - resources are scarce so someone else also wants our good

distrust/diffidence - pre-emptive attacks, judge of self-preservation (can kill others, not a justice/injustice)

glory/greed

What are the three main examples of Hobbes' states of nature?

1) real politik

2) degeneration

3) america

What are the (two) characteristic features of Hobbes' so-called "Right of Nature"?

1) be the judge of what might harm you (pre-emptive striking happens because of right to judge)

2) inalienable (can't be given up)

What are Hobbes' first two Laws of Nature?

1) "seek peace (and follow it)"

2) "lay down (one's natural rights to do things in exchange for security of peace)"

Arguments that Hobbes gives for an absolute (as opposed to limited) sovereign?

1) preferable to war

2) regress

Overview of Locke's social contract theory

state of nature (natural law) -> tacit/expressed consent -> civil society

Some differences between Hobbes and Locke on social contact theory?

rights: hobbes = social contract (artificial), locke = god (natural)

state of nature: hobbes = fear, locke = inconvenient

authority: hobbes = absolute, locke = limited

rebellion: hobbes = no, locke = yes

war: hobbes= state of nature, locke = violation of natural laws (by god)

Locke's two natural duties?

1) preserve self

2) preserve mankind

Three features of Locke's natural law theory?

1) non-teleological

2) individualism

3) limited

What are the two types of consent, and why Locke needs both?

tacid consent = implicit (implied through actions), expressed consent = explicit (clear verbal declaration)

What is Nozik's objection to Locke?

tomato juice + ocean = nothing

why does mixing labor with property make you entitled to the property?

What is the liberal's objection to Locke?

tacit consent makes kings legitimate, too much emphasis on individual property rights

What is Rousseau's objection to Locke?

too much emphasis on private property leads to inequality and societal corruption

Some features of Rousseau's method of doing political philosophy?

1) lack of reason - driven by self-preservation

2) state does not enforce nature

3) conjecture

4) hypothetical

two types of inequality that Rousseau identifies, and their sources?

1) natural; age, height, strength, etc (source=natural)

2) moral; power, property, money, etc (source=consent by convention)

Rousseau's moral psychology?

1) amour de soi -> self-preservation

2) pitié -> empathy for sufficiency

3) amour propre -> vanity (does not = freedom)

basic picture for Rousseau's contract theory?

state of nature -> sovereign (general will) -> government ("the state")

Some differences between Rousseau and Hobbes/Locke?

Rousseau: convention vs god, war=state vs state, state of nature=free/good, non-equality, property->equality is BAD

Hobbes: war=nature, state of nature=fear, equality

Locke: war=violation of natural law, state of nature=inconvenient, property->equality is GOOD

Two conditions that characterize Rousseau's state of nature?

1) humanity are good

2) amoral freedom

Two interpretations of the general will?

1) democratic -> literal voting

2) abstract -> "emergent" will happen -> "class" will

Two requirements of the general will?

formal: the body be toward the good

substantive: cultural homogeneity + proximity

What is the racial contract?

social contract used for domination/oppression/segregation (race necessary, not incredetinal)

What are the political, moral, and epistemological dimensions of the racial contract?

political: origin? + agreement

moral: mills takes morality first -> 'the contradiction' god-slavery

epistemological: knowing objectivity "reason"

What specific examples of the racial contract does Mills provide?

hobbes: hypothetical state of nature for whites, real state of nature for non-whites

What is Humboldt's thesis concerning the relation between positive welfare, security, and the state?

1) legitimacy of state

2) scope of state action

answer=all gov't action toward positive welfare (security) is unjust

What are Humboldt's reasons in defense of his thesis?

1) creates uniformity

2) weakens vitality

3) degrades character (external influence)

4) harm (many individualities)

5) hinders individualities (stops self-growth)

6) complicates administration

7) distorts outlook

What is utilitarianism, according to Mill?

1) consequentialism

2) principle of utility (greatest happiness)

3) incommensurability (classical vs pop music) (high vs low pleasures)

4) impartiality (your worth no greater than others)

5) universalism (everyone matters)

What is a right, according to Mill?

that which society ought to defend

consequentialism; good before ought/right/duty

objective: actual consequences

practicality: generally bad to frame people

Be able to describe the basic difference between negative and positive liberty

negative= "freedom from" non-interference, can curtail for other interests, economic vs political relationship

positive= "freedom to" pursue one's own goals, difference between self-realization and self-abnegnation

difference between the "self-realization" conception of positive liberty, and the "self-abnegation" concept.

self-realization= actively pursuing and fulfilling one's desires

self-abengation= denying or supressing one's desires to achieve a higher purpose

What three claims does Berlin make about classical liberalism?

1) confusing negative + positive freedom (negative; non-interference is good by itself) (positive; no character development)

2) "comparatively modern" going back (anything before positive/negative liberty) -> losing freedom (everything)

3) comparable with autocracy -? government different than politics

why is Berlin skeptical of positive liberty

positive liberties justify forms of oppression, he believes it is totalitarian

overview of Rawls' position arriving to the principles of justice?

original position -> veil of ignorance -> principles of justice

What are some features that characterize both the original position and the veil of ignorance?

original position = hypothetical, "reflective equilibrium"

veil of ignorance = general info, self-interest

What are Rawls' two principles of justice?

1) basic equal liberties- must be equal+compatable (politcal)

2) difference principle - how much inequality? benefit the worst off(economic)

2a) difference principle; to everyone's advantage

2b) equality of opportunity; positions and offices

What are some objections to Rawls?

- potential for neglecting individual responsibility

- too abstract, no concrete solutions

- impracticality of the 'veil of ignorance'

What is the ideal theory?

1) perfection (how we think) - utopianism (what's a utopia? how do we get there?), - end-state theory (justice as distribution of resources)

2) strict compliance (what people do) - practice: people always obey the law (rational)

What is the non-ideal theory?

rejects all, hard to see what people do in the real world - what makes people think a certain way?

What is nationalism?

identifies the nation as the central form of community and elevates it to the object of supreme loyalty

What is cosmopolitanism?

all human beings belong to a single global community, regardless of their nationality, implying a shared responsibility to one another and a commitment to universal values and human rights

What is multiculturalism?

1) recognition

2) structural and economic hierarchy (status)

3) rejects pure assimilation (melting pot culture)

What are group differentiated rights

1) self-government right -> non-voluntarily (e.g. native americans)

2) poly-ethnic right -> voluntary (e.g. immigrants choosing to move)

Two reasons why culture is valuable?

1) autonomy

2) identity

What features constitute a good life with respect to culture?

1) internal condition = e.g. practice religion, private: w/family, public: attend worship

2) revision = e.g. abandon religion

What is Okin's simple critique of group rights?

1) monoliths - cultural reductionism

2) male domination - religious myths

What do Okin and Kymlicka ultimately agree on?

1) structuralism

2) internal/external protections/restrictions

3) blindness

4) formality

Two broad strands of feminism concerning religion?

1) secular humanism; if bad, remove religion entirely

2) traditionalist; preserve religious beliefs

Nussbaum's primary question, and her answer to that question?

Q: Basic Social Minimum? (i.e. who should get what and why?)

A: capabilities in liberalism (capacity to act or not) vs "functionings" = realized capacity

Four core aspects of Nussbaum's capabilities approach?

1) liberalism: dignity

2) universalism: everyone matters (equally)

3) consensus: we all (roughly agree)

4) threshold: "good enough"

Three types of capabilities that Nussbuam identifies?

1) basic: innate (eyesight)

2) internal: innate + acquired (language)

3) combined (ones that lead to functioning in society): innate + acquired + external (bodily autonomy)