Lecture Description
Jeremy Bentham's formulation of classical utilitarianism is the first Enlightenment tradition that the course will cover in depth. In his Principles of Morals and Legislation, Bentham outlines the principle of utility; that is, the principle that all men are pleasure-seeking and pain-avoiding. Professor Shapiro presents the case that classical utilitarianism has five characteristics: (1) it is comprehensive and deterministic, (2) it is a pre-Darwinian naturalist doctrine, (3) it is egoistic but not subjectivist, (4) it is highly consequentialist, and (5) it is based on the idea that utility is quantifiable and that one can make interpersonal comparisons of utility. As for the role of government, Bentham believes that it is to "maximize the greatest happiness of the greatest number." The class discusses the merits of utilitarianism through examination of Robert Nozick's hypothetical experience machines, the implication of public goods, and "the tragedy of the commons."
Reading assignment:
Bentham, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, chapters 1-3, 7
Bentham, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, chapters 5, 6 [optional]
Course Index
- Information and Housekeeping
- Introductory Lecture
- Natural Law Roots of the Social Contract Tradition
- Origins of Classical Utilitarianism
- Classical Utilitarianism and Distributive Justice
- From Classical to Neoclassical Utilitarianism
- The Neoclassical Synthesis of Rights and Utility
- Limits of the Neoclassical Synthesis
- The Marxian Challenge
- Marx's Theory of Capitalism
- Marxian Exploitation and Distributive Justice
- The Marxian Failure and Legacy
- Appropriating Locke Today
- Rights as Side Constraints and the Minimal State
- Compensation versus Redistribution
- The Rawlsian Social Contract
- Distributive Justice and the Welfare State
- The "Political-not-Metaphysical" Legacy
- The Burkean Outlook
- Contemporary Communitarianism (I)
- Contemporary Communitarianism (II)
- Democracy and Majority Rule (I)
- Democracy and Majority Rule (II)
- Democratic Justice: Theory
- Democratic Justice: Applications
Course Description
This course explores main answers to the question, "When do governments deserve our allegiance?" It starts with a survey of major political theories of the Enlightenment—Utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition—through classical formulations, historical context, and contemporary debates relating to politics today. It then turns to the rejection of Enlightenment political thinking. Lastly, it deals with the nature of, and justifications for, democratic politics, and their relations to Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment political thinking. Practical implications of these arguments are covered through discussion of a variety of concrete problems.
Course Structure:
This Yale College course, taught on campus twice per week for 50 minutes, was recorded for Open Yale Courses in Spring 2010.