PHIL 350 Modern Classics in Political Philosophy: Justice, Liberty, and Equality

This course focuses on John Rawls's Theory of Justice arguably the greatest work in political philosophy since the 19th century. Attention will also be given to two important but differing responses to Rawls in the work of Robert Nozick and Susan Okin. Topics for discussion will include: what is the nature of the just state? Can a just state guarantee both the liberty of its citizens and their equality? Which economic distributions are just? Is there a right to property and if so what is its basis? What is the best life for human beings and how far can a just state go in providing that life for its citizens?