Philosophy 362: History of Ethics and Political Theory
Fall, 2015
Tues/Thurs 3:30-4:50
Annenberg 101
Professor Stephen White
Office: Crowe 1-159
stephen.white@northwestern.edu
Office hours: Fridays 1-3
The Social Contract Tradition
Course description:
In modern political communities, all the members are subject to some person or group
that claims both the authority to make laws or issue commands as well as a monopoly on
the legitimate use of force. Do governments ever have the authority they claim for
themselves? If so, under what conditions? When do states have the right to use force
against their citizens? What, after all, is the point of living in organized political
societies? In this class we will approach these questions from the standpoint of Social
Contract theory, focusing in particular on the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and
Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Learning Objectives
Students will
 Gain an understanding of central texts in the social contract tradition
 Appreciate how different ideas about the nature of pre-political human beings lead
to different theories of society and political authority
 Develop their abilities to construct and analyze philosophical arguments in
writing
Required Texts
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Basic Political Writings)
David Hume, “Of the Original Contract” (Posted on Canvas)
Assignments
Two short assignments (2 pages) (10% each)
First paper (4-5 pages) (30%)
Second paper (6-8 pages plus outline) (45%)
Class Participation (5%)
Course policies:
 Attendance and participation in class are required.
 Late work: Assignments will be docked 1/3 of a letter grade for each day late
unless you have arranged for an extension at least 5 days prior to the due date.
Documentation is required in cases of emergency.
 No laptops, phones, or tablets may be used during class. Exceptions to this rule
may be arranged in consultation with Professor White.
Plagiarism:
Any form of plagiarism will be reported to the dean’s office and will result in a 0 for the
assignment.
Accommodations:
We aim to provide students with disabilities and other conditions requiring
accommodation a learning and community environment that affords them full
participation, equal access, and reasonable accommodation. Eligible students should
contact AccessibleNU, in the office of the Dean of Students to arrange for the proper
accommodations as early as possible in the quarter. To contact AccessibleNU, visit
http://www.northwestern.edu/accessiblenu/
Schedule:
Week 1: Hobbes
9/22: Introduction
9/24 Leviathan, Chs. 11, 13
Week 2: Hobbes
9/29 Leviathan, Chs. 13 (cont.),
10/1 Leviathan 14-15
Week 3: Hobbes/Locke
Sunday 10/4: first short assignment due
10/6 Leviathan, Chs. 16-18; Ch. 21 (¶¶11-21)
10/8 Second Treatise of Government, Ch.1-4
Week 4: Locke
10/13 Second Treatise of Government, Ch. 5
10/15 Second Treatise Ch. 5 (cont.)
Week 5: Locke
Sunday 10/18: Second short assignment due
10/20 Second Treatise of Government, Ch.7 (¶¶87-94);
10/22 Second Treatise ch.8 (¶¶95-104, 113-122); ch.9; ch.11
Week 6: Hume
10/27 “Of the Original Contract” (Canvas)
10/29 “Of the Original Contract” (cont.)
Week 7: Rousseau
Sunday 11/1: First Paper Due
11/3 Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Pt. 1
11/5 Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Pt. 2
Week 8: Rousseau
11/10 On the Social Contract, Book I;
11/12 Social Contract Book II Chs. 1-7, 11, 12
Week 9: Rousseau
11/17 On the Social Contract, Book III Chs. 1, 3, 10-18; Book IV Chs 1-2.
11/19 Social Contract, IV Chs 1-2.
Week 10: Rawls
11/24 “Justice as Fairness” (Canvass)
11/26: Happy Thanksgiving!
Final Paper Due: Tuesday, December 1.