Description
An introduction to Political Philosophy focusing on the foundations of modern Liberalism in the Enlightenment contract theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau. After an introduction to the basic problems and themes of modern political philosophy (the concept of the state and the distinction between legislature, executive and judiciary; the grounds of political obligation and authority, primary political goods etc.), the course will focus on the foundational texts of modern contract theory: Hobbes’s Leviathan, Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, Rousseau’s Discourse on the Origin of Inequality and The Social Contract (excerpts). Key topics include: the concepts of natural law and the state of nature; the concept of reason; variations and problems of contract theory; individualism and collectivism; the concepts of equality and liberty; the free market and property; democracy. Special attention will be given to the nature and status of the ethical in these political theories. The course will end with a survey of some of the main lines of development stemming from these works.
Teaching method
Lectures (hoorcollege) with seminar discussions.
Admission requirements
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Course objectives
Course objectives will be made available on Blackboard at the start of the course.
Required reading
Hobbes’s Leviathan (CUP 1991). ISBN: 0521567971.
Locke’s Second Treatise of Government (CUP, 1988). ISBN: 0 521 35730 6.
Rousseau’s Discourse on the Origin of Inequality and exceprts from The Social Contract, both in:
Basic Political Writings, tr. Cress, (Hackett 1988). ISBN: 0 87220 047 7.
Test method
Mid-semester take-home exam (40%)
inal take-home exam (60%)
Time table
See: Timetables Philosophy
Please note that this course is indicated as ‘History of Modern Political Philosophy’ in the timetable.
Information
Dr. H.W. Siemens ( h.w.siemens@phil.leidenuniv.nl )
Registration
Please register for this course on U-twist. See registration procedure
Blackboard
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Remarks
Lectures will be in English, although Dutch can be used for exams and contributions in class.