Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom from Coursera

What is the purpose of government? Why should we have a State? What kind of State should we have?

Even within a political community, there may be sharp disagreements about the role and purpose of government. Some want an active, involved government, seeing legal and political institutions as the means to solve our most pressing problems, and to help bring about peace, equality, justice, happiness, and to protect individual liberty. Others want a more minimal government, motivated, perhaps, by some of the disastrous political experiments of the 20th Century, and the thought that political power is often just a step away from tyranny. In many cases, these disagreements arise out of deep philosophical disagreements.

All political and legal institutions are built on foundational ideas. In this course, we will explore those ideas, taking the political institutions and political systems around us not as fixed and unquestionable, but as things to evaluate and, if necessary, to change. We will consider the ideas and arguments of some of the world’s most celebrated philosophers, including historical thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Mary Wollstonecraft, and John Stuart Mill; and more contemporary theorists such as Elizabeth Anderson, Isaiah Berlin, Thomas Christiano, Frantz Fanon, Amy Gutmann, Friedrich Hayek, Robert Nozick, Martha Nussbaum, Julius Nyerere, Ayn Rand, John Rawls, Peter Singer, and Kok-Chor Tan.

The aim of the course is not to convince you of the correctness of any particular view or political position, but to provide you with a deeper and more philosophically-informed basis for your own views, and, perhaps, to help you better understand the views of those with whom you disagree.

What's inside

Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction to Part I of the Course

An introduction to Part I of the course and to some of the fundamental problems in legal and political philosophy.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines foundational ideas that form the basis of political and legal institutions

Features discussion from celebrated philosophers

Develops understanding of the role of government in promoting happiness, peace, stability, and human flourishing

Analyzes four different views of justice

Introduces and analyzes views of equality as a constraint and as a societal or political objective

Examines the way in which the State can be a threat to freedom and the way in which the State can promote or protect freedom

Reviews summary

Foundational ideas in political philosophy

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and intellectually stimulating exploration of foundational ideas in legal and political philosophy. It covers major concepts like utility, justice, equality, and freedom, presented through the works of diverse historical and contemporary thinkers. Students generally find the well-structured units helpful in navigating complex topics. While the course provides a balanced perspective without pushing a specific viewpoint, some may find the theoretical depth demanding, requiring dedicated time for readings and reflection.

Offers deep philosophical insights, promoting critical thinking.

"This course genuinely challenged my thinking and provided a deeper understanding of political concepts."

"I found the material very thought-provoking and it encouraged me to critically examine my own beliefs."

"It's a demanding but rewarding course for anyone who wants to dive deep into complex philosophical questions."

Presents diverse philosophical viewpoints without bias.

"I liked that the instructor didn't try to convince us of any particular view; they just presented the arguments fairly."

"It helped me understand different political ideas without feeling pressured to agree with one side over another."

"The course truly broadened my perspective by showcasing various philosophical arguments on contentious topics."

Broad coverage of key political philosophy ideas and figures.

"I really appreciated the broad overview of so many important philosophers and their ideas on justice and freedom."

"The course did an excellent job of introducing me to various schools of thought on foundational political concepts."

"It was great to learn about figures like Plato, Locke, and Rawls all in one place, understanding their differing views."

Heavily theoretical; requires significant reading and reflection.

"Be prepared for a lot of reading; the course is very theoretical and not focused on practical policy."

"I sometimes wished for more real-world examples, but the philosophical depth was certainly there."

"This course is definitely for those who enjoy abstract thought and are willing to put in the time for dense material."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom with these activities:

Review Principles of Political Philosophy

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Reviewing the principles of political philosophy can strengthen your foundation for this course, which explores the fundamental ideas and arguments of political and legal institutions.

Browse courses on Political Philosophy

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Read introductory texts on political philosophy.
Review your notes or summaries from previous courses or readings on political philosophy.
Discuss key concepts and arguments with peers or a mentor.

Follow Tutorials on Utilitarianism

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This course briefly covers utilitarianism, but following tutorials can provide a more in-depth understanding of its principles and applications.

Browse courses on Utilitarianism

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Search for online tutorials or courses on utilitarianism.
Choose a reputable source and complete the tutorial.
Take notes and summarize the key concepts of utilitarianism.
Apply utilitarian principles to real-world examples.

Read Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes

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Reading Leviathan can provide a deeper understanding of the arguments for a strong central authority, which is a key topic explored in this course.

View Gateway to the Social Contract on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes of key arguments and ideas.
Summarize the main arguments of the book in your own words.
Discuss the book's ideas with others to gain different perspectives.

Three other activities

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Host a Study Group on the Social Contract Theory

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Leading a study group on social contract theory can reinforce your understanding of the concept and facilitate deeper discussions with peers.

Browse courses on Social Contract Theory

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Gather a group of peers who are interested in discussing social contract theory.
Choose a specific text or topic related to social contract theory for discussion.
Prepare discussion questions and materials to guide the session.
Facilitate the discussion and encourage participation from all members.

Analyze Case Studies on Government Overreach

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This activity provides an opportunity to apply the concepts learned in the course to real-world scenarios, strengthening your understanding of the limits of government power.

Browse courses on Civil Liberties

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Gather case studies of alleged government overreach.
Analyze the cases using the principles and theories discussed in the course.
Write a report summarizing your findings and conclusions.

Design a Political System for a Fictional Society

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This activity challenges you to apply the theories and principles learned in the course by creating your own political system, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of governance.

Browse courses on Political Theory

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Identify the values and principles that will guide your political system.
Research different types of political systems and their advantages and disadvantages.
Design the structures and institutions of your political system.
Write a report or presentation outlining your design and its rationale.

Career center

Learners who complete Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Political Scientist

Political scientists study the theory and practice of politics, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring political scientists a solid foundation for their research and teaching.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Philosopher

Philosophers study the nature of reality, knowledge, and morality, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring philosophers the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Ethics Professor

Ethics professors teach about the nature of morality and ethics, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring ethics professors the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethics Professor

Political Consultant

Political consultants work with candidates and political organizations to help them win elections and pass legislation. A deep understanding of the philosophical foundations of government is essential for success in this role. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the major theories and debates in political philosophy, which will be invaluable for political consultants.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts help develop and evaluate public policies, so a deep understanding of the philosophical foundations of government is essential for success in this role. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the major theories and debates in political philosophy, which will be invaluable for policy analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Public Administrator

Public administrators work to implement and manage public policies, so a deep understanding of the philosophical foundations of government is essential for success in this role. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the major theories and debates in political philosophy, which will be invaluable for public administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Administrator

Lawyer

Lawyers need to have a strong understanding of the legal and political systems they work within. This course provides a deep dive into the foundational ideas and arguments of legal and political philosophy, which will give aspiring lawyers a solid foundation for their legal careers.

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Politician

Politicians help shape the laws and policies that affect every facet of society, making this course a great asset to any aspiring candidate. The course will provide a deep understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of government and the role it plays in promoting happiness, justice, equality, and freedom. This knowledge will be invaluable in navigating the complex political landscape and making informed decisions that benefit the public.

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Judge

Judges must be well-versed in the principles of justice and equality, as well as the limits of government power. This course explores these topics in depth, providing judges with a strong foundation for making fair and impartial decisions.

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Historian

Historians study the past in order to understand the present and the future, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring historians the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Sociologist

Sociologists study society and social behavior, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring sociologists the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring economists the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Journalist

Journalists need to be able to analyze and interpret political events and issues, and a strong understanding of political philosophy is essential for this. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring journalists the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers need to be able to understand and navigate the political and legal landscape in order to effectively lead their organizations. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring nonprofit managers the tools they need to succeed in their careers.

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Activist

Activists work to bring about social and political change, and a strong grounding in political philosophy is essential for success in this field. This course provides a deep dive into the major concepts and theories of political philosophy, which will give aspiring activists the tools they need to make a difference in the world.

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