URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/W_BA_SOEN

Course Objective

In this course you will gain knowledge of, and insight into: 1. the historical developments in social philosophy, from antiquity to the 20th century; 2. the ideas of key thinkers in social philosophy; 3. the development of the conception of the social and of freedom in philosophy. Moreover, you will practice the skills to 4. critically read and analyze structurally classical and contemporary philosophical texts; 5. contribute to a discussion about these texts 6. write down your thoughts about them

Course Content

This course will give you an overview of main developments in social philosophy from antiquity until the 21th century, with a focus on the conceptions of sociality and freedom. We shall study Axel Honneth's much-discussed book "Freedom's Right," in which he develops a theory of justice in terms of the idea of social freedom. In addition to Honneth's book, we will also study passages of classical texts of Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, and Hegel.

Teaching Methods

In the lectures about the text book, the history of social philosophy and its fundamental problems will be presented. In the text-reading seminars, original texts of philosophers will be discussed in detail.

Method of Assessment

1. Individual assignments (15% of the final grade), assessment oflearning objectives 1-6 2. Mid-term exam with essay questions (42,5% of the final grade), assessment of learning objectives 1-4 3. Written exam with essay questions (42,5% of the final grade), assessment of learning objectives 1-4

Literature

Text book: A. Honneth, Freedom's Right. The Social Foundations of Democratic Life, Translated by Joseph Ganahl, Polity press, 2014 (original Das Recht der Freiheit, Suhrkamp 2011). Primary texts of Aristotle, Hobbes, Kant, and Hegel will be announced on Canvas.

Target Audience

Students of Philosophy

Recommended background knowledge

Ancient Philosophy Ethics
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Bachelor