Justice Human Nature The Republic Human Nature recap
+ Justice, Human Nature, & The Republic
+ Human Nature (recap) n Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics—including ways of thinking, feeling and acting— which humans tend to have naturally, independently of the influence of culture. n It is important to understand what you believe to be true about HN when discussing ideal forms of government
+ Thomas Hobbes n April 1588 – December 1679 n English philosopher, best known for his work on political philosophy n His 1651 book Leviathan established social contract theory, the foundation of most later Western political philosophy n The right of the individual; the natural equality of all men; the artificial character of the political order n The view that all legitimate political power must be "representative" and based on the consent of the people; and a liberal interpretation of law which leaves people free to do whatever the law does not explicitly forbid
+ State of Nature n There are no rights in the state of nature, only freedoms, and it is the contract that creates rights and obligations. In other versions the opposite occurs: the contract imposes restrictions upon individuals that curtail their natural rights. n In the state of nature every man is susceptible to equal threat from one another
+ Social Contract Theory n Addresses the questions of the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual n Social contract arguments typically posit that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler (or to the decision of a majority), in exchange for protection of their remaining rights
+ Egoist Ethics- What was Hobbes assuming about human nature? n The theory that one’s self is, or should be, the motivation and the goal of one’s own action (i. e. , your action is morally correct if you are looking out for your own interests)
+ Utility Ethics & Kantian ethics n Utility n holds that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing total benefit and reducing suffering or the negatives n Kantian n Central to Kant's construction of the moral law is the categorical imperative which acts on all people, regardless of their interests or desires (i. e. , can your action be prescribed as a universal action for all people? ) n No person can be used as a means to an end
+ Aristotle n 384– 322 BCE n Student of Plato at The Academy; later left Athens after Plato’s death n Valued n The reason and empiricism theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. Reinforced by the rise of experimental science in the 17 th and 18 th centuries
+ Plato’s Division of the Soul versus Aristotle n Plato: 1. Wisdom/morality (greatest percentage) 2. Courage/hubris 3. Desire/emotion n Aristotle: 1. Wisdom 2. Desire/emotion Equal distribution between the two. According to Aristotle people need both their emotions and logic to live a good life (both in moderation)
+ Intro to The Republic n Given what we know about Human Nature (through your experience, history, various ethical viewpoints), consider: What is the best form of government to live productively within a group of people? n How do you define justice and what purpose does it serve in a community?
- Slides: 10