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Political philosophy
concerns itself with what the origin and function of government is.
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Social philosophy
the most just way to distribute wealth in a society.
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natural right
right we are born with that can't be taken away or given by government.
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natural law
any principles or rules discovered by reason.
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state of nature
theoretical understanding of how humans would act without government.
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covenant (Hobbes)
agreement between citizens to transfer power to the sovereign.
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property (Locke)
a natural right to own the fruits of labor.
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bourgeoisie (Marx)
a class of capitalists who own all of the means of production.
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proletariat (Marx)
a class of working wage-earners who own none of the means of production.
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liberal state (Rawls)
democratic state that sets a minimum standard of living and provides opportunities, through taxation, for the disadvantaged.
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veil of ignorance (Rawls)
game we play in order to come up with the best society, involving pretending we can't see what makes us different.
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minimal state (Nozick)
minimum government that only functions to protect us from fraud and force.
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Locke wrote:
Two Treatises on Governmnet
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Marx wrote:
The Communist Manifesto
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Rawls wrote:
Theory of Justice
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Nozick wrote:
Anarchy, State, and Utopia
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Hobbes: Life in a state of nature___
is unbearable
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Hobbes: Why do we form government?
to survuve
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Hobbes: 3 causes of conflict are____
competition, glory, and diffidence
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Hobbes said we are all __
equal (as in equally able)
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social contract theory:
government started by contract
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meritocracy:
capitalism/right to pass on inheritance
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Hobbes: Rebellion is ___
NOT justified
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Hobbes: our natural right is ____
to life, it's a biological right.
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Hobbes: 3 natural laws
- -seek peace
- -make and agreement with others for peace (covenant)
- -abide by the covenant
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Hobbes: Laws=
justice; there are no unjust laws
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Hobbes: laws are____
the will of the sovereign (monarch)
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Locke: 3 things lacking in a state of nature
- -impartial judges
- -uniform laws
- -power of enforcement
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Locke: natural rights (God given)
- -life/health
- -liberty
- -possessions/property
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Locke: limits are____
- -none on money
- -limit on property, take as much as you can use
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Locke's 2 influences:
- -Darwin (evolutionary theory)
- -Hegel (conflict/resolution theory)
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Dialectical Materialism:
- 1) history is a series of interrelated effects
- 2) history is progressive
- 3) conflicts in society are caused by economic class conflicts
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Economic Criticism of Capitalism:
- 1) natural conflict between 2 classes
- 2) capitalism creates cycles of depression and recession
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Moral Criticisms of Capitalism:
- 1) destroys man's inherent value
- 2) hurts family (i.e.: child labor)
- 3) creates unnecessary attachment to material things
- 4) creates a nation of dependents
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Marx's view:
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."
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Ideal Communist Society:
- 1) classless society
- 2) focuses on real world needs and not false ones
- 3) abolition of private enterprise (collectives)
- 4) rotation of labor
- 5) equitable distribution of wealth and goods
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Nozick: 2 purposes for governmnet
- 1) prevent fraud
- 2) prevent force
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Nozick's famous quote:
"Initial acquisition must be just"
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Rawls: We are born ___
NOT equal
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Rawls: principles of a just society
- 1) equal and maximum liberty
- 2) wealth and power is to be distributed equally EXCEPT where an unequal distribution benefits society and the disadvantaged
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Rawls: Socially primary goods
- 1) wealth
- 2) liberty
- 3) equal opportunity
- 4) self-respect (dignity)
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Nozick: Obligation to the poor?
No.
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