An Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy

A Question-Based Approach

  • Textbook
An Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy cover

An Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy

A Question-Based Approach

  • Textbook
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Description

Social and political philosophy, unlike other fields and disciplines, involves conflict, disagreement, deliberation, and action. This text takes a new approach and understands philosophy not so much as a story of great thinkers or as a collection of philosophical positions but as a series of debates and disagreements in which students must participate. Adopting what may be called an 'active learning' method, Richard Schmitt, who has long taught social and political philosophy in the Ivy Leagues as well at state colleges, presents a range of problems and debates which engage the core question of freedom. Too often, students are bewildered, and then bored, by highly abstract philosophical questions because they are unable to connect those abstract issues to their own life experiences. This text immediately connects issues and experiences, and provides integrated, on-going questions to spark dialogue, whether in class settings or in the reader's own mind, and to help students form strong arguments with good reasons for their positions. In the course of examining different current controversies, the book develops theories of democracy, equality, the state, property, autonomy, and the role of morality in politics, all of which are standard for courses in social and political philosophy.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 How to Use This Book
Chapter 3 Freedom: Possession or Process?
Chapter 4 The Citizen and the Government
Chapter 5 Property and Rights
Chapter 6 Democracy
Chapter 7 Why is Freedom Important?
Chapter 8 Review Questions
Chapter 9 Questions for Reflection and Debate
Chapter 10 Suggested Reading
Chapter 11 Notes

Product details

Published Jun 16 2009
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 318
ISBN 9780742564138
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Dimensions 230 x 155 mm
Series Elements of Philosophy
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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