Politika (from the Greek title of Aristotle's book), involves theory and practice in the search for wisdom about politics, the state, the good society, and human nature. What are the best foundations for power, for legitimacy, for freedom, equality, justice and, human rights? Who should govern? What is the nature and purpose of the state? What are its limits? Are there any appropriate limits to human freedom? How does how we organize our life to live together in society affect the quality of human lives? What are the factors that cause conflict, social problems, and disorder, and how can they be avoided or ameliorated? This course invites you to engage in a history of the ideas of some of the greatest original political philosophers such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Mill, Rousseau, Arendt and Foucault, among others, as they search for comprehensive wisdom about political issues. We will consider how their ideas can contribute to dialogue about contemporary political issues involving free speech, gender, justice, use of state coercive power, education, freedom, and political change.

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