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Introduction to Political Philosophy

Yale,, Fall 2006 , Prof. Steven B. Smith

Updated On 02 Feb, 19

Overview

Introduction: What is Political Philosophy - Socratic Citizenship: Plato's Apology-Plato's Crito - Philosophers and Kings: Plato's Republic,Plato's Republic,Plato's Republic - The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle's Politics - New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli's The Prince - The Sovereign State: Hobbes' Leviathan - Constitutional Government: Locke's Second Treatise - Constitutional Government: Locke's Second Treatise - Democracy and Participation: Rousseau's Discourse - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America - In Defense of Politics

Includes

Lecture 12: The Sovereign State Hobbes Leviathan

4.1 ( 11 )


Lecture Details

Introduction to Political Philosophy (PLSC 114)

This is an introduction to the political views of Thomas Hobbes, which are often deemed paradoxical. On the one hand, Hobbes is a stern defender of political absolutism. The Hobbesian doctrine of sovereignty dictates complete monopoly of power within a given territory and over all institutions of civilian or ecclesiastical authority. On the other hand, Hobbes insists on the fundamental equality of human beings. He maintains that the state is a contract between individuals, that the sovereign owes his authority to the will of those he governs and is obliged to protect the interests of the governed by assuring civil peace and security. These ideas have been interpreted by some as indicative of liberal opposition to absolutism.

0000 - Chapter 1. Introduction Thomas Hobbes
0728 - Chapter 2. Who Was Hobbes?
1412 - Chapter 3. Comparing Hobbes to Machiavelli and Aristotle
2526 - Chapter 4. Hobbes on Art, Science and Politics
3355 - Chapter 5. Hobbes "Great Question" What Makes Legitimate Authority Possible?
4032 - Chapter 6. What Makes Hobbes Story a Plausible Account of "The State of Nature"?

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website httpopen.yale.educourses

This course was recorded in Fall 2006.

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Comments
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Sam

Excellent course helped me understand topic that i couldn't while attendinfg my college.

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Dembe

Great course. Thank you very much.

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