Equality
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHIL3035 | Philosophy | 3 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- PHIL3035
- School
- Philosophy
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
What are the proper concerns of an egalitarian society? If we’re concerned about equality, what kind of world should we be working towards? What does it mean to treat one another as equals? Should we treat each other that way? If so, why? And what are the political implications of such obligations?
In this module we will be exploring these and other questions at the heart of the egalitarian project. Subjects will include equality of condition, relational equality, moral equality and political equality. We will also touch on issues around welfare, luck, rights, dignity, status and democracy. Writers covered may include Dworkin, Sen, Parfit, Anderson, Kant, Rousseau, Scanlon, Christiano and Rawls.
A draft schedule of the topics covered by week can be seen below:
1. Equality of condition (Equality of welfare, Equality of resources and the results of unchosen luck)
2. Against equality of condition 1: Equality and priority (Parfit, Levelling-down objection, Priority view)
3. Against equality of condition 2: Equality of status (Anderson, equality in the results of unchosen luck vs Relational equality)
4. Getting clear on the nature of social hierarchies (Van Weitmarschen)
5. The basis of equality (Rights and hierarchies, Hobbes, Locke)
6. Equality, dignity and worth (Kant)
7. The wrong of inequality. (Scanlon, equal concern, Sangiovanni)
8. Political equality. (Rousseau, Free Community of Equals)
9. Equality and democracy (Christiano)
10. Equality and political participation. (Rawls, Scanlon, Beitz)
Target Students
Third year single honours and joint honours Philosophy students. Also available to Liberal Arts students in their final year who have completed either PHIL1012 or PHIL1013. Also available to exchange students.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: One 2,500 word essay
- 50% Coursework 2: One 2,500 word essay
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To ensure: 1) that students are equipped with a detailed understanding of the main philosophical debates around egalitarianism; 2) that they can discuss rival philosophical views about the best analysis of egalitarianism and the various merits and/or deficiencies of each; 3) that they have a clear understanding of how philosophical thinking on this subject has developed over time; and 4) that they have further developed philosophical skills around close analysis of text, formulation of independent arguments, and articulation of their own views and the views of others.Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of this module you should be able to understand the main positions in the debates about egalitarianism discussed in the module.
B. Intellectual skills
By the end of this module you should be able to analyse and evaluate rival views on these topics.
C. Transferable skills
By the end of this module you should be able to express views on abstract issues clearly and concisely in writing