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The aim of this Topics Seminar is for the participating student (1) to gain a thorough understanding of the primary texts for the course and a familiarity with the current debates in the philosophical literature on this topic; (2) to appreciate the arguments for and against the positions; and (3) to develop an independent judgment about the most promising approach in this area.
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This “Topics Seminar” explores in depth issues and texts in the area of social and political philosophy. The topic for 2019-20 is “Socialism”.
Socialism remains one of the most prominent visions for the political and economic future. Yet it will be hard to find a political theory that is more misunderstood, and that attracts more confusion about its moral commitments and institutional proposals. In this course, we will give socialism a fair hearing. We will discuss recent developments in socialist political philosophy and take its strongest critics into account. We will consider its normative foundations, its institutional analysis of markets and governments, its egalitarian commitments and presuppositions regarding human nature. This will allows us to come to an informed assessment of its prospects and perils.
Socialism remains a remarkably powerful political philosophy. But many scholars have failed to keep up with its most sophisticated recent developments and, indeed, most sophisticated recent criticisms. This course aims to fill this gap.
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