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Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom

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Course Summary

This course explores revolutionary ideas surrounding utility, justice, equality, and freedom. It delves into the philosophical and political theories of thinkers such as John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Hayek.

Key Learning Points

Gain a deeper understanding of the key concepts of utility, justice, equality, and freedom
Explore the theories of influential philosophers and political thinkers
Reflect on how these ideas have shaped society and continue to impact our world

Learning Outcomes

Develop a critical understanding of key philosophical and political theories
Apply these theories to contemporary issues and debates
Develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, and communication

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of philosophy and political theory
Access to the internet and ability to watch videos and read articles
Willingness to engage in critical thinking and reflection

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Reading assignments
Quizzes

Similar Courses

Ethics, Morality, and Contemporary Issues
Political Philosophy: An Introduction
Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

John Rawls
Karl Marx
Friedrich Hayek

Related Books

Description

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.

Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Part I of the Course
Introduction to Part 1
Lecture 1.1: Political Institutions & Starting Positions
Lecture 1.2: Peace & Problem Solving
Lecture 1.3: Choice Points in Designing a State
Syllabus
Networks
Grading
Argumentative Reflections
Introduction

Unit 2: Happiness and Welfare
Lecture 2.0: Introduction to Happiness & Utility
Lecture 2.1.0: Happiness, Thomas Hobbes & the State of Nature
Lecture 2.1.1: Happiness, Thomas Hobbes & Escaping the State of Nature
Lecture 2.2: Happiness, Welfare & the Scope of the State
Lecture 2.3.0: Happiness, John Stuart Mill & the Harm Principle
Lecture 2.3.1: Happiness & the Harm Principle
Lecture 2.4: A More Constructive Role for the State in Promoting Happiness
Lecture 2.5: Promoting Happiness: Collective Action Problems, Public Goods, and Free Riding
Lecture 2.6.0: Promoting Happiness: The Epistemic Power of the State
Lecture 2.6.1: Promoting Happiness: The Epistemic Power of Deliberation
Lecture 2.6.2: Promoting Happiness: The Epistemic Power of Large Numbers
Lecture 2.7: Promoting Happiness: Law & Development
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Happiness and Welfare

Unit 3: Justice
Lecture 3.0: Introduction
Lecture 3.1.0: Distributive Justice & Utilitarianism
Lecture 3.1.1: Distributive Justice: Problems with Utilitarianism
Lecture 3.2.0: Justice: The Capabilities Approach
Lecture 3.2.1: Justice: The Ten Central Human Capabilities
Lecture 3.3: Justice: Nozick's Entitlement Theory
Lecture 3.4.0: Justice: Rawls's Theory of Justice
Lecture 3.4.1: Justice: Rawls & The Original Position
Lecture 3.4.2: Justice: Rawls & The Two Principles of Justice
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Justice

Unit 4: Equality
Lecture 4.0: Equality: An Introduction
Lecture 4.1.0: Equality as a Constraint: Legal & Political Equality
Lecture 4.1.1: Equality as a Constraint: Re-Examining Political Equality
Lecture 4.2: Equality as an Objective: Introduction to Egalitarianism
Lecture 4.3: Equality: Connections Between Material & Political Equality
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Equality

Unit 5: Freedom
Lecture 5.0: Freedom & Autonomy: An Introduction
Lecture 5.1.0: Freedom & Autonomy: Positive & Negative Freedom
Lecture 5.1.1: Positive & Negative Freedom & The Role of the State
Lecture 5.2: Freedom & Autonomy: Individual & Community Freedom
Concluding Part I, Introducing Part II
Roundtable Discussion: Question 1
Roundtable Discussion: Question 2
Roundtable Discussion: Question 3
Roundtable Discussion: Question 4
Reflections on Revolutionary Ideas: A Question & Answer Session with Prof. Guerrero
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Relevant Readings
Freedom

Summary of User Reviews

Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom is a course on Coursera that has received positive reviews from many users. While the overall rating is high, users have highlighted the course's engaging and thought-provoking content as a key aspect that they enjoyed.

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and thought-provoking content
In-depth exploration of revolutionary ideas
Great supplemental reading materials
Challenging and stimulating assignments
Excellent professor and teaching staff

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course too challenging
Course material may be too political or ideological for some
Limited interaction with other students
Course may be too time-consuming for some
Grading system may be too strict or unclear

Recommended for you

Revolutionary Ideas: Utility, Justice, Equality, Freedom

What is the purpose of government? Why should we have a State? What kind of State should we have? In many cases, these disagreements arise out of deep philosophical disagreements....

Save Course