Social and political philosophy
There are many different definitions of Social Political Philosophy (SPP): the political can be defined as social decision making; philosophy is the most general form of inquiry that is the attempt to say what it is true and why.
Course code: PHEN07
Professor: Lorenzo GalloCourse description
This course intends to familiarize the students with the debates and contributions of the main philosophical scholars and theories which have developed through history from the time of Greek Sophists through the XX century. Based on the Aristotelian assumption that man is a by nature a political animal, the course intends to give ultimate answers to questions such as how material goods should be distributed; on what basis people should possess property; what are the justified reasons why some people have more properties than others; why political power has to exist; what kinds of governments are acceptable; what does it determine the correct balance between authority and autonomy; what is the right balance between private and common good; what are the justified limits to my/your freedom.
Table of contents
Chapter 1. Introduction
Part I: Historical contributions on social political thought
Chapter 2. Ancient Origins
Chapter 3. Key Catholic Contributions
Chapter 4. Pre-Enlightenment & Protestant Thought Emerges
Chapter 5. Modern Political Thinking
Chapter 6. Contemporary Thinkers
Part II: Contemporary social political issues
Chapter 7. Social Political Philosophy: A Survey of Contemporary Issues