Admission requirements
Admission to this course is restricted to:
BA students in Philosophy: Global and Comparative Perspectives, who have successfully completed at least 70 ECTS credits of the mandatory components of the first and second year of their bachelor’s programme, including Philosophical Skills, Ethics and Political Philosophy.
BA students in Filosofie, who have successfully completed at least 70 ECTS credits of the mandatory components of the first and second year of their bachelor’s programme, including Filosofische vaardigheden, Ethiek and Politieke filosofie.
Pre-master’s students in Philosophy who are in possession of an admission statement and who have to complete an advanced seminar.
Description
The “state” is the typical modern form of political organization, characterized by its claim of comprehensive and final authority for all inhabitants of a certain territory. What exactly is the nature of the authority claimed by the state, and under what conditions could such a claim possibly be justified (or how is a tax collector different from a thief)? If it is justified, does that imply that all inhabitants of the state’s territory have a moral duty to obey the state, and what moral principles could possibly be the basis of such a duty? The course examines the main arguments in the contemporary literature concerning the moral requirements to obey the state. Among the topics covered are consent theory; the principle of fairness; the natural duty of justice; arguments from gratitude; associative theories; democracy; philosophical anarchism. The course applies the philosophical arguments discussed in class to issues in political practice such as secession, civil disobedience and uncivil political protest.
Course objectives
This course aims to:
- introduce students to classic and contemporary arguments in the debate on the authority of the state and the obligation to obey the state
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
classic and contemporary theories of political obligation and the legitimacy of the state
the role of moral reasoning in political life
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
analyse and interpret a philosophical text
develop argumentative skills through seminar discussion and analysis of philosophical texts
practice and further develop presentation skills
understand the nature of arguments in political philosophy and of the way they differ from arguments made in political theory or social sciences
reproduce and interpret the arguments used in key debates concerning the problem of political obligation and the legitimacy of the state
articulate arguments and criticisms with regard to contemporary theories of political obligation and the legitimacy of the state
come to an independent judgment about the relative merits of the theories discussed
relate philosophical arguments to issues from (current) political and social life such as tax avoidance, law violation, forms of political protest and disobedience
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
Reading responses (pass/not pass). Failure to submit more than 20% will result in deducting 0.5 from the final grade.
Final paper: 100% of the final grade
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
The resit consists of one examination for all parts at once (100%), consisting of an essay on a topic determined by the instructor. The mark for the resit will replace all previously earned marks for subtests. No separate resits will be offered for subtest. Class participation is required for taking the resit. Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.
Reading list
The reading list will be posted on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga
Remarks
Not applicable.