Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This course aims to explore the ideas of democracy, liberty, utility, and civilization from a philosophical perspective. By leading students to read English political thinker John Stuart Mill's works, this course aims to introduce a theoretical and philosophical way of reflecting on politics and society. The purpose is to help to develop students' understanding of the primary questions in political philosophy.
Briefly, to know politics properly, one could approach it through thinking of the central issues related to it. This is the spirit of the Seminar in this term.
能力項目說明
In our time the idea of human rights is generally regarded as a universal value that every legitimate regime should preserve. However, not many of the defenders of human rights are aware of its origin and how it has become so deeply rooted in modern political discourse. This then leads to an understanding of human rights which regards it as pre-social and colored by egocentric. The course wishes to evaluate such understanding by showing that, even though the origin of right is natural in a sense, nevertheless, its use must be conditioned by social context.
Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes:
1. Familiar with Mill's views on democracy, liberty and civilization, and utility.
2. Understanding classical liberalism and modernity.
3. Broadening and deepening students' knowledge of political theory.
4. Cultivating students' interests in philosophical reasoning.
5. Redefining philosophy and humanity with unconventional devices.
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
|---|---|---|
Week 01 Introduction
Week 02 Rationale of Representation
Week 03 De Tocqueville on Democracy in America (1)
Week 04 De Tocqueville on Democracy in America (2)
Week 05 State of Society in America
Week 06 Civilization
Week 07 Reform of Civili Service & On Liberty, Ch. 1-2
Week 08 On Liberty, Ch. 3-5
Week 09 Mid-term exam
Week 10 Remarks on Bentham's Philosophy & Bentham
Week 11 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 1-2
Week 12 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 3-4
Week 13 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 5-6
Week 14 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 7-8
Week 15 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 9-13
Week 16 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 14-16
Week 17 Considerations on Representative Government, Ch. 17-18
Week 18 Discussion of final paper's topic
Average time devoted: 8 hours/week
Requirements: All students are required to read the text in advance, most of them will be asked to share their comments. One student/group of students will be required to deliver a presentation at the beginning of each seminar.
1. Presentation: 35% weekly class presentation will be assigned at the beginning of the term.
2. Mid-term exam: 30%
3. Final paper: 35%
https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/robson-collected-works-of-john-stuart-mill-in-33-vols
https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/robson-collected-works-of-john-stuart-mill-in-33-vols