Lecture 1 -power, theory, & overview
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This document provides an overview of key concepts from the first lecture of a political theory course. It discusses keeping an open mind, critiquing arguments logically and factually, and defining politics as the struggle over group decision-making and resources. It also summarizes theories of the state of nature from Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, how they differ in their views of human nature, and why moving beyond the state of nature into organized political societies became necessary.
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A. Historical Origin
Early beginning of human civilization
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Example:
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Contents:
A. Historical Origin
Early beginning of human civilization
• The word of the king is the law
Deontological
Greek word “dein” or “deon” meaning “To be obligated” or simply “duty”
B.Kants’ Major Contribution to Deontological Theory
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• Avid defender of deontological theory
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“A person is only acting morally only when he suppresses his feelings and inclinations and does that which he is obliged to do”
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1 is done out of desire to get a reward and 2 is done out of emotion thus, the acts are considered immoral. On the other hand, 3 is done out of obligation and this makes the act moral.
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“Our duties cannot consist simply in following rules that promote pleasure and avoidance of pain as the utilitarian’s claim, since that would make right actions depend upon consequences, on how well they satisfied our desires”
Example:
1) Lying
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“Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law”
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2) Rule-based reasoning believes in set behavioral rules that ensure morality if followed, such as divine ethics which base actions on religious doctrine, and duty ethics like Kant's which focus on universal logical rules.
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3) Egoism advocates acting in self-interest, while utilitarianism argues producing maximum happiness makes acts morally right. Kant's deontological ethics focuses on duties over outcomes.
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All moral claims are grounded in some moral theory. It is the nature of such claims that they are based on a system of beliefs about what is right and wrong, just and unjust.
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Theory
Criticisms
Kantian Ethics
· Immanuel Kant put forth the categorical imperative, which states that you should only act on moral principles that you would be willing to turn into universal laws mandating that everyone act the same way.
· This is a version of the question, “How would you like it if everyone did that?”
Any two people who want to get married should be able to.
· This theory is so absolute that it sometimes goes against moral common sense.
It’s wrong to kiss my spouse because I would not like it if everyone kissed my spouse.
Utilitarianism
· The morally right course of action is the one that will produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people.
· The only thing that matters is the consequences of the action, not the intentions behind the action (the ends justify the means).
· Ignores people’s rights, duties, and intentions.
· Could be used to justify an act that most would consider morally wrong because it inflicts harm on one person unjustly, even if it brings great happiness to many others.
It’s okay to steal money from my neighbor and take my family on a vacation, because then my whole family would be happy, and only my neighbor would be harmed.
Ethical Egoism
· Doing whatever is best for your own interests or would make you happy.
· This is not necessarily the same thing as doing whatever you want in the moment, because that might not be in your best interests in the long term.
· Can be used to justify terrible actions.
Ethical Altruism
· Doing whatever is best for others or would bring the greatest amount of happiness to people besides yourself.
· Some.
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Lecture 1 -power, theory, & overview
- 1. Lecture 1:
- 2. Tips for getting the most out of this course: Keep an open mind Critique an argument based on: ○ Logically consistent? ○ Factually correct? ○ Sufficient evidence? ○ Better explanation? ○ Quality of the argument’s assumptions?
- 3. What is Politics? Struggle to influence group decision-making Resources (“power” or material goods)
- 4. Power Pressure to do something you would not have done Power vs. Coercion vs. Influence vs. Authority Negative Power: “made to do” Positive Power: “empowered to do”
- 5. Power vs. Authority Constraint vs. Consent Authority: legitimacy of rulers/rules Subordination vs. Will Authority: choose to obey Both are linked <back>
- 6. Theory Explanation via an abstraction or model Why use? What constitutes “good” theory? What is your goal? ○ Example: Model Airplane Connected to facts Normative theory vs. empirical theory ○ “humans are good” vs. “humans inclined towards cooperative behavior”
- 8. Big questions of political theory? What role does the state play in the lives of individuals? What ought to be the ruling set of values & institutions? ○ Who decides these?
- 9. Questions continued What roles do freedom, liberty, and justice have in society? How to define? How should political conflicts be resolved?
- 10. Structure Of the Course Ideas (concepts) Ideologies (set of beliefs) Classical (state centered) Contemporary (beyond the state)
- 11. The “State of Nature” What is it? Anarchy before the state (pre-political) Gets at basic human nature Why is it important? Degree of human autonomy Degree of state control ○ Justifies govt.
- 12. Thomas Hobbes Motivations: desires, passions, & fear No ultimate “good” or morality Without government, all against all “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” Fear drives aggression ○ State of war Connection with IR Realism
- 13. John Locke State of nature not anarchic Pursue self-interest ○ Cooperation when preferences overlap respect for others’ rights No morality in the state of nature Moral principles are learned
- 14. More on Locke Individuals are rational rational law of nature “natural law” based on reason natural respect for “private property” ○ avoids fear & insecurity Connection with IR Neoliberalism
- 15. Jean-Jacques Rousseau True state no different from other mammals Hobbes & Locke wrong ○ social development? Neither innately bad nor good Driven by self-preservation & empathy
- 16. More on Rousseau In nature, humans amoral Begin to associate with others to increase efficiency Adopt common moral standards (learned) Free moral agents ○ Power of self-improvement (evolve)
- 17. Why Move Beyond the State of Nature? Hobbes: ORDER! ○ Above all else Any rule better than none Humans must be controlled
- 18. Beyond (cont) Locke: State of nature preferred to arbitrary rule Need for objectively judging violators of “natural law” ○ cannot fairly judge their own case Increase efficiency
- 19. Beyond (cont) Rousseau: Development leads beyond “nature” Once out, organization necessary ○ Work towards common good ○ Bring out moral goodness