2015/2016

2015/2016

DM270

SPS/01 (POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY)

DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES

PHILOSOPHY

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

1st semester (21/09/2015 - 23/12/2015)

6

40 lesson hours

ITALIAN

ORAL TEST

CARTER IAN FRANK (titolare) - 6 ECTS

The course aims to introduce students to the most important contemporary normative political theories, focusing on issues of justice, both conceptually and in terms of their implications for public affairs. More generally, it aims to develop students' critical and argumentative abilities.

In the first part of the course some of the main theories of justice are introduced, analyzed and discussed. These include utilitarianism, contract theory and libertarianism. In the second part, the course concentrates on the presuppositions and implications of these theories, concentrating on their contrasting interpretations of the ideals of liberty and equality.

The course is lecture-based, but incorporates discussion and debates.

1. W. Kymlicka, Introduzione alla filosofia politica contemporanea (Feltrinelli, 1996), cap. 1, “Utilitarismo”, pp. 19-62.
2. S. Maffettone, Introduzione a Rawls (Laterza, 2010), pp. 18-51.
3. J. Harsanyi, “Moralità e teoria del comportamento razionale”, in A. Sen e B. Williams (a cura di), Utilitarismo e oltre, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1990, pp. 51-80.
4. J. Rawls, Una teoria della giustizia (Feltrinelli, 1982), primo capitolo, pp. 21-60.
5. V. Ottonelli, (a cura di), Leggere Rawls, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2010, pp. 85-117, 137-43.
6. R. Nozick, Anarchia, stato e utopia, Il Saggiatore, Milano 2000, pp. 48-65, 163-194.
7. F.A. Hayek, La società libera (Valecchi, 1969), cap. 1, pp. 29-40.
8. G.A. Cohen, “Robert Nozick e Wilt Chamberlain: come i pattern preservano la libertà”, in M. Ricciardi (a cura di), L’ideale di giustizia, Università Bocconi Editore, Milano, 2010, pp. 161-188.
9. G.A. Cohen, “Capitalismo, libertà e proletariato”, in I. Carter e M. Ricciardi (a cura di), L’idea di libertà, Feltrinelli, Milano 1996, pp. 161-181.
10. H. Steiner, “Libertà ed eguaglianza”, in Studi perugini, 2 (1996), pp. 133-53.


The above texts can be bought as a set of photocopies (entitled “Dispensa di Filosofia politica, anno accademico 2015/16”), from the CLU bookshop, via San Fermo, Pavia.

Most of the texts are translations from English language originals. For a set of references to the original English-language versions, contact the course teacher.

Written exam. Details are provided during the course and in the above mentioned "Dispensa".
Non-italian students may choose to write their exam scripts in English or French.