PHI215 - The Social Contract

Outline:

What is political authority? How does the state acquire and retain the authority to govern its citizens? Philosophers such as Hobbes and Locke answered that individuals have the right to govern themselves and that the state comes into existence when these individuals transfer this right of self-governance to a state by means of social contract. We shall explore the idea of a social contract both in the writings of its advocates and in those of its critics such as Hume

Preparatory Reading

Those wanting a flavour of the course should consult the chapters on Hobbes and Locke in John Plamenatz - Man and Society

Assessment:

Two coursework essays (50%) and a two-hour examination

Lecturer

David Owens

Lectures:

Thursdays 12 - 1pm [AT-LT8]
Thursdays 3-4 pm [AT-LT9]
Fridays 10-12pm [AT-11.31]