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Key facts
| Type | Day and Weekend |
|---|---|
| Location | Newbury |
| Address | Newbury College Monks Lane Newbury Berks RG14 7TD |
| Dates | Sat 9 to Sat 23 Mar 2013 Day: Saturday Time of meeting: 9.45am - 3.45m Number of meetings: 2 |
| Subject area(s) | Philosophy |
| Fees | From £110.00 |
| Application status | Course cancelled |
| Course code | E12P155PHJ |
| Course contact | If you have any questions about this course, please email s-hughes@newbury-college.ac.uk or telephone Newbury College Tel: 01635 845000. |
Overview
We explore and compare the leading theories of political philosophy. These ideas are then applied to a range of pressing issues including wealth redistribution (both within the state and within the world as a whole), punishment, war, and threats to mankind's survival.PLEASE NOTE: THE VENUE FOR THIS COURSE IS NEWBURY COLLEGE, MONKS LANE, NEWBURY
Description
This course offers a thorough grounding in Political Philosophy. The central theoretical issues are explored, including: J.S.Mill's Utilitarianism; John Rawls’ highly influential book A Theory of Justice; luck egalitarianism; Libertarianism & the minimal state of Robert Nozick; Left-Libertarianism; rights; and the nature of markets, money and capital. Whilst exploring these ideas we examine their implications for whether, and to what extent, wealth should be redistributed, both within the state, and from richer nations to poorer nations. We also pay close attention to the implications of each thoery for future generations, particularly with regard to potential threats to their survival and quality of life. We also examine crime, punishment and torture; and when war is justified.No prior knowledge of philosophy is required for this course, only a willingness to think rationally, question and learn, coupled with an interest in the important political issues of today. .
Programme details
To be held at: Newbury College, Monks Lane, Newbury, RG14 7TDSATURDAY 9 MARCH 2013
9.45am Ronald Dworkin’s theory of Luck Egalitarianism attempts to combine personal responsibility for those things that individuals can control, with equality of those things that individuals cannnot control. His theory is explained and compared to other versions of egalitarianism.
11.00am Coffee/tea
11.10am What rights do we have? What implications do they have? What is the relationship between markets, capital, desert, wealth generation, rights, responsibility and freedom?
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm Libertarians such as Robert Nozick prioritise freedom, arguing for a minimal state. Do their arguments work?
2.30pm Tea/coffee
2.40pm Who owns natural resources & the natural environment? Does today’s generation have the right to degrade them? What about future generations? An exploration of the new theory of ‘Left-Libertarianism’.
3.45pm Course disperses
SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2013
9.45am Utilitarianism advocates maximising total happiness, but does it stand up to scrutiny? What is the best version of Utilitarianism?
11.00am Coffee/tea
11.10am John Rawls is the most influential political philosopher of the twentieth century, and is central to the contemporary liberal tradition. His central ideas are explained and scrutinised.
12.20pm Lunch
1.20pm Crime & punishment. When is punishment justified? What form should punishment take? Is capital punishment wrong? Is torture ever justified – for instance when dealing with terrorism?
2.35pm Tea/coffee
2.45pm When is war justified? Is there a duty to free oppressed peoples?
3.45pm Course disperses No lunch is provided, but there is a shop on site where you can buy food and refreshments or bring your own.
There is also a large car park on site where you may park all day for no charge.
Staff
Mr Daniel Dennis
Role: Tutor
Dr Dan Dennis has taught Ethics, Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion at OUDCE for over five years.
Recommended reading
BACKGROUND READINGFarrelly, Colin, Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory
Farrelly, Colin, Contemporary Political Theory: A Reader
Otsuka, Mike, Libertarianism without Inequality
Apply for this course
Please enrol directly with Newbury College, Monks Lane, Newbury, Berks RG14 7TD; Tel: 01635 845555 / 01635 845000 for an application form or enrol online at www.newbury-college.ac.ukusing this course code: 97851 - please type this code into the search our courses box or Email: info@newbury-college.ac.uk No lunch is provided, but there is a shop on site where you can buy food and refreshments or bring your own. There is also a large car park on site where you may park all day for no charge.
Sorry, this course is not currently accepting applications. If you have any questions about this course, please use the course enquiry form.