1. Political Philosophy Lit. Deicisions Mr. Kott

2. Agenda… Political Quotes… Political Quotes… What is Political Philosophy? What is Political Philosophy? BRIEF History of Politics Medieval-Current BRIEF History of Politics Medieval-Current Current Political Philosophies Current Political Philosophies U.S. Political Philosophy U.S. Political Philosophy

3. What is Political Philosophy? The study of questions about the city, government, politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, laws, and enforcement of a legal code by authority. The study of questions about the city, government, politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, laws, and enforcement of a legal code by authority. Three Central Concerns: Three Central Concerns: Political Economy Political Economy Demands of Justice in Distribution of Punishment Demands of Justice in Distribution of Punishment Rules of truth and evidence that determine the judgement in law. Rules of truth and evidence that determine the judgement in law.

4. Medieval Period Divine Right of Kings Divine Right of Kings Christianity Christianity

5. Renaissance Period A shift occurs… Humanism: A displacement of the “other worldly” values of the middle ages in favor of a belief in the potential of humanity in this world. A shift occurs… Humanism: A displacement of the “other worldly” values of the middle ages in favor of a belief in the potential of humanity in this world.

6. European Age of Enlightenment A more radical look at the individual A more radical look at the individual 2 Basic Questions: 2 Basic Questions: By what right or need do people form states? By what right or need do people form states? What is the best form of government? What is the best form of government? Government= Government= a specific group of people who occupied, and indeed still occupy the institutions of the state, and create the laws and ordinances by which the people, themselves included, would be bound State= a set of enduring institutions through which power would be distributed and its use justified

7. Industrialization & Modern Era Urbanization & Capitalism Socialism Totalitarianism

8. Some Contemporary Philosophies on the field of play… Liberalism: The idea that there is a plurality of intrinsic good but not one right combination of them, thus making the maximization imperative to the maximization of human happiness. Conservatism: The idea that a strong hirarchy is needed to maintain order; that equalizing measures often cause disorder.[ Libertarianism: A belief in absolute property rights and absolute freedom of contract.

9. America’s Political Philosophy What do you think? Let’s take a look…