OBS 112 Political Philosophy

The course entitled “Political Philosophy” primarily analyses the nature, structure and functioning of the political society in view of common good. To achieve this end, the course provides a historical and philosophical over view of the development of political philosophy starting from the classical Greek period (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle). Then, it analyses the development of political thought from the inception of Christianity unto the sixteenth century. In addition, a critical analysis of the major political theories and political thinkers of the modern and contemporary period are also undertaken. This is to enable the students to evaluate the relationship between ethics and politics, a clear understanding of the relationship between political authority and common good, a clear knowledge about human rights, the principle of tolerance etc. An awareness of the relationship between freedom and responsibility are given to conscientize the students about the nature of political structures and common good. Necessity and limits of civil laws are also taught in detail to have a realistic picture of political authority and the citizens.

1. Dewan, L., St. Thomas, John Finnis, and the Political Good, The Thomist: A Speculative Quarterly Review, Volume 64, Number 3, July 2000, pp. 337-374. Published by The Catholic University of America Press.
2. Gaus, G. F., Contemporary Theories of Liberalism. Public Reason as a Post-Enlightenment Project, SAGE Publications, London 2003.
3. Gilby, Th.: The Political Thought of Thomas Aquinas, Chicago 1958, Reprint 1973.
4. Hervada, J., Critical introduction to natural right, Wilson & Lafleur inc., Montreal 2020.
5. Kymlicka, W., Contemporary Political Philosophy. An Introduction, 2^a, Clarendon Press, Oxford 2002.
6. Rhonheimer, M., Fundamental Rights, Moral Law, and the Legal Defense of Life in a Constitutional Democracy. A Constitutionalist Approach to the Encyclical Evangelium vitae, «American Journal of Jurisprudence*, 43 (1998), 135-183.
7. Sajo, A., Limiting Government. An Introduction to Constitutionalism, Central European University Press, Budapest-New York 1999.
8. Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae, Secunda Pars (Parigi, 1271: Prima Secundae, e 1271-72: Secunda Secundae). mainly the “quaestiones” 90-97 of I-II, dedicated to the Law, and 58-61 of II-II, on Justice.
9. Strauss, L. – Cropsey, J., A History of Political Philosophy, Chicago, 1987.
10. Sabine, G. H., A History of Political Theory, New Delhi, 1973.
11. Thompson, M., Political Philosophy, London, 2008.