The History of Modern Political Philosophy

GOV 1061 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course focuses on foundational texts of modern political philosophy ranging from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century (e.g., Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Kant, Nietzsche) We will see thinkers define and celebrate modern politics and culture; and we will see thinkers turn against modern politics and culture. We will learn that some thinkers promoted power as the foundation of politics, while others promoted reason as its foundation. In examining the interplay between power and reason, we will examine a number of themes that include: power, violence, evil, reason, freedom, equality, justice, law, sovereignty, authority, legitimacy, history, nihilism, religion. We will be raising such questions as: What makes political society modern? What kind of human subject does modern politics require? What are the preconditions of politics? Does it require justice? Reason? Freedom? Property? Power? Violence? What is a state, and what can justify it? What is, can be, and should be the relationship between politics and religion? Politics and property? Politics and history?