Political philosophy

The overarching aim of this unit is to give you a strong foundation in political philosophy. The unit focuses on core questions central to the discipline. Examples can include: How should wealth and income be distributed in the just state? What is the meaning of equality, and how does a just state respect it, given religious and cultural diversity? What is the meaning and value of liberty? When is it justified to punish someone for violating a state's laws? Should political philosophers strive to articulate a conception of ideal justice, or an account of justice more feasible for the actual world? You will be introduced to central attempts to answer questions like these, using both classical and contemporary authors.