Prof. David Haslett
Home Phone: 366-8579
e-mail: dhaslett@udel.edu
Fall, 2002
SYLLABUS
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY: PHIL 201
I. COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course has two objectives. The first is to provide some insight into what moral criteria should govern political decisions and, according to these criteria, what socioeconomic system is most justified for our society. The second main objective is to sharpen your skills at critically examining and debating social and political issues and, in general, at coming to well thought-out solutions of your own.
II. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Your work in this course will consist of the following: 1. reading assignments; 2. class participation; and 3. three tests. These are explained below.
1. Reading Assignments
Most of the readings are not difficult, if read carefully and with patience. Class discussion each week will presuppose that all of the readings have been completed by everyone. To benefit fully from this course, it is essential that you read the assignments and attend class regularly. WARNING: Although all of the readings present ideas and proposals that it is instructive for us to debate, many of these ideas and proposals, including those set out by Haslett, may not be justified. Be careful not to be deceived by false ideas and bad proposals. Read critically
The required texts are the following:
a. Applied Social and Political Philosophy, ed. by Elizabeth Smith and H. Gene Blocker (referred to here as "S & B")
b. What It Means to Be a Libertarian, by Charles Murray
c. Capitalism with Morality, by D. W. Haslett
2. Class Participation
Class participation consists of the following:
a. Answering questions I ask in class about the readings and topic for the day.
b. Asking questions about, or disagreeing with, views presented during class or in the readings . NOTE: Since many of my own views may not be justified, I especially encourage the expression of disagreement with my own views as presented in class and in the readings. The more differing viewpoints we have debated in class, the more interesting the course will be for everyone, and more we are all likely to learn.
3. Tests.
Each test will consist of multiple choice questions that cover all material assigned since the last test. Test questions will come not just from material presented in the readings, but also from material that I present in class that goes beyond the readings. Since many test questions will come from material presented only in class, it is important that you take good notes. The dates for each test are set out below.
III. ASSIGNMENTS
Note: Our discussion of the topics below will often carry over somewhat into the following class meeting
PART I: GOVERNMENT AND ITS PROPER FUNCTIONS
Wednesday, Sept. 4: Introduction
Friday, Sept. 6: Democracy
Monday, Sept. 9: (1) Aid to the Starving; (2) Relativism and Ethical Theory
Wednesday, Sept. 11: Relativism and Ethical Theory
No new reading assignment.
Friday, Sept 13: Animal Rights (Principle of Universalizability)
Monday, Sept 16 Direct (Act) Utilitarian Political Morality
Reading Bentham, “An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and
Legislation,” S & B, pp. 111-13
Wednesday, Sept. 18: Indirect (Rule) Utilitarianism
Friday, Sept. 20: Libertarian Political Morality
Monday, Sept. 23: Libertarian Political Morality—The Economy
Wednesday, Sept. 25: A General Critique of Libertarianism
Friday, Sept. 27: Homosexuality and Prostitution
Monday, Sept. 30: Paternalism
only
Wednesday, Oct. 2:
Friday, Oct. 4: A Critique of Murray’s Views on Drugs
No new reading assignment.
Monday, Oct. 7: FIRST TEST
PART II: ALTERNATIVE SOCIOECONOMIC SYSTEMS
Wednesday, Oct. 9:: (1) Anarchism; (2) The Duty to Obey the Law
Friday, Oct. 11: Marxism
Monday, Oct. 14: Marxism
165-69
Wednesday, Oct. 16: Central Planning Socialism
Friday, Oct. 18: Central Planning Socialism—A Critique
Monday, Oct. 21: Worker-Control Socialism
Wednesday, Oct. 23: Worker-Control Capitalism
Friday, Oct. 25: Worker-Control Capitalism vs. Traditional Capitalism
Monday, Oct. 28: Socioeconomic Systems and Distributive Justice--Rawls
Wednesday, Oct. 30: A Critique of Rawls
Friday, Nov. 1: Distributive Justice and Capitalism--Nozick
Monday, Nov. 4: Distributive Justice as it relates to Equal Opportunity--Dwarkin
470-75
Wednesday, Nov. 6: Distributive Justice
No new reading assignment
Friday, Nov. 8: SECOND TEST
PART III: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL IDEALS
Monday, Nov. 11: Freedom from Discrimination: Defining “Discrimination”
No new reading assignment
Wednesday, Nov. 13: Freedom from Discrimination: Civil Rights Legislation
2. Bork, “Civil Rights—A Challenge,” S & B, pp. 336-38
3. New Republic Editors, “Civil Rights--a Reply,” S & B, p. 339
Friday, Nov. 15: Freedom from Discrimination: Affirmative Action
Monday, Nov. 18: Freedom from Discrimination: Affirmative Action
No new reading assignment
Wednesday, Nov. 20: Equal Opportunity
Friday, Nov. 22: Equal Opportunity
Monday, Nov. 25: Abolishing Poverty
2. Haslett, “Capitalism without Poverty,” Sections 5.1 through 5.5,
pp. 191-212
Wednesday, Nov. 27: Equal Access to Necessities
212-28
Friday, Nov. 29: Thanksgiving
Monday, Dec. 2. Equal Access to Necessities
Reading: Haslett, “Capitalism without Poverty,” Section 5.9, pp. 228-34
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Free Speech;
only
2. Humphrey and Bork, “
S & B, pp. 281-84
Friday, Dec. 6: National Security: Understanding and Preventing Terrorism
Monday, Dec. 9: A Clean Environment
Wednesday, Dec. 11: Conclusion
No new reading assignment
Thursday, Dec. 19,