UNIT OVERVIEW: In this unit we will come to understand the origins, reasonings, and implications of the philosophies related to the major thinkers of the Enlightenment. To come to this understanding, we will tackle the questions below by learning how each was answered by major philosophes.
Hobbes vs. Rousseau (Is man good or evil?)
Mill & Bentham vs. Kant (How do I decide if my actions are ethical?)
France vs. England vs. Germany (How do I find Truth?)
Locke vs. Hobbes (What is the best relationship between the government and the governed?)
Focus on Rousseau (Is society a source of corruption?)
MANDATORY LECTURES: To familiarize ourselves with the ideas of these great thinkers we will read both primary and secondary sources. In addition, you will be required to listen to TWO LECTURES. The information presented in the lecture will provide a basis for discussion on our debate days. It is imperative that you pay close attention to the lectures. Sit down in a quiet room, remove distractions and pay attention to the speaker. The speaker follows a logical progression that you must involve yourself in. If you lose track of what he is saying, please rewind and listen again; the same way you would if you were reading a text and needed to reread for understanding. You MUST TAKE NOTES DURING THE LECTURE!!! Keep track of the speakers arguments, but also RESPOND TO THEM!!! The speaker wants you to react!! Keep track of your personal reactions, it will help you on debate days. Get used to this experience.... you will be paying a lot of money to attend prestigious universities to listen to learned professors.
LECTURE 9: Is man good or evil? Why does the answer to this question matter? Hobbes vs. Rousseau
(in total, this complete lecture is about 30 minutes long)
DEBATE: Mill & Bentham vs. Kant (How do I decide if my actions are ethical?)
1. Introduction to Kant and the Categorical Imperative
2. DEBATE: Mill & Bentham vs. Kant
HW: LECTURE 9 (follow the instructions above the lecture)
Thursday, Dec. 15
DEBATE: Locke vs. Hobbes vs. Rousseau (Is man good or evil?) (What is the best relationship between the government and the governed?)
Focus on Rousseau: Authenticity vs. Inauthenticity
HW: QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Are "good and justice" universal(the same for everyone everywhere at everytime) or relative (context, place, and time dependent)? What implications does you answer have on the Declaration of Universal Rights?
If you are unsure of what relativism is... READ THIS ARTICLE
Read the book segments below (pgs. 144-146) relating to Montesquieu and cultural and moral relativism. What is cultural relativism? What is moral relativism?
TOPIC: Human Rights... Universal or Relative? Are "good and justice" universal truths or are they context dependent? Can you believe in cultural or moral relativism and universal human rights at the same time?
VIDEOS TO GET STARTED....
DISCUSSION: Let these questions guide your discussion..
Does a universal "good" exist? Assume for a second, as Socrates and most classical thinkers did, that it does... where does it originate? What are the implications? Assume that it does not... what are the implications.
What is moral relativism?
What is cultural relativism?
Describe the tensions that exist between relativism and Universal Human Rights.
Can you maintain a stance of moral relativism and still support Universal Human Rights?
HW: Post your ideas on the blog. LINK TO BLOG The better the discussion, the better your grade. Extra credit is a real option.
Use Coffin Enlightenment Chapter to complete the Philosophes Chart. (HAVE THIS FINISHED BY TUESDAY)
Lectures 11d, 11e below explain how Kant is to thank for the moral underpinnings of Universal Human Rights. Lecture 11e and 11f point out some problems with Kant's ethics.
Messed up day, missing laptop, etc.... Block 1 work on charts, brief discussion about Friday's discussion. Block 3 discussion about whether society corrupts mankind's natural goodness (useful and enlightening tangents... somehow, based on Kate's ideas we discovered the Hegelian Dialectic.) We'll recover tomorrow....
TUESDAY, DEC 20
TOPIC: Rousseau and the Radical Enlightenment
Rouseau can be seen as the most ardent proponent of a free society or as a precursor for totalitarianism (though he would not like to be seen this way). You should be able to explain both positions.
HANDOUT: Secondary source, analysis and summary of Rousseau's other ideas (discourse on the origins of inequality, Emile, etc.) Read the summary and analysis to familiarize yourself with ideas that are necessary to understand Rousseau's arguments in the Social Contract.
Discussion: The Social Contract primary source excerpts.
In other news... an amazing man died this week... Vaclav Havel. Below are some links about his life and influence. What would Rousseau think about Havel?
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