Showing results for "Political Philosophy" in Social Sciences

The stuff of conspiracy theories makes for great, entertaining stories in movies, books, and television. And there is no shortage of subjects: from who really killed JFK to the truth behind 9/11. And then, there are subjects from alien invasions to the Moon landing was simulated - theories that are truly out of this world, which according to some, is flat. Many of these crazy concepts have jumped off the pages or screens to become so pervasive in our culture that thousands - even millions - subscribe to them as reality.

Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.

In this sweeping philosophical work, Amartya Sen proposes that the murderous violence that has riven our society is driven as much by confusion as by inescapable hatred. Challenging the reductionist division of people by race, religion, and class, Sen presents an inspiring vision of a world that can be made to move toward peace as firmly as it has spiraled in recent years toward brutality and war.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “No single book is as relevant to the present moment.”—Claudia Rankine, author of Citizen “With unsettling insight and disturbing clarity, How Fascism Works is an essential guidebook to our current national dilemma of democracy vs. authoritarianism...

In Political Ideals, the renowned 20th-century British philosopher Bertrand Russell delivers a thought-provoking critique of the political and economic landscape of Europe during World War I. This insightful work not only reflects on the challenges of its time but also resonates with contemporary issues, making Russells ideas remarkably relevant today. Join Sid as he summarizes this impactful book.

In Volume 2 of his groundbreaking work, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, William Godwin lays the foundation for the concepts of anarchism—long before the term was coined. He provocatively argues that laws are not born from the wisdom of our ancestors but are instead the byproducts of their fears, ambitions, and rivalries. Godwin asserts that the solutions offered by these laws often exacerbate the very problems they aim to address. Join us as we explore these revolutionary ideas, summarized by Peter Kropotkin.

In Part II of First Principles and Natural Law, Professor Hadley Arkes delves further into the classic connection between morality and law. Indeed, this link between the basis of law and the principles that form the groundwork of moral judgment is very much at play in today’s world, as evidenced in everything from Supreme Court decisions to national policy. Drawing upon the works of such influential philosophers as Immanuel Kant, David Hume, and Thomas Reid, Professor Arkes examines such relevant topics as conscientious objection, the justifications for war and interventions abroad, privacy claims, and abortion.

John Ruskin (1819 – 1900) is celebrated not only as an art and social critic but also as a prolific author, poet, and artist. In Unto This Last, he presents profound insights into political economy that have left a lasting impact on thinkers like Gandhi. Discover the transformative ideas that challenge conventional economic thought. (Hugh McGuire/Wikipedia)

Written by the influential Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus stands as one of the most provocative texts of the early modern era. This treatise serves as a preemptive defense of his later work, Ethics, which was published posthumously in 1677 and anticipated intense scrutiny. In this foundational work, Spinoza delivers his most thorough critique of Judaism and organized religion as a whole. He asserts that theology and philosophy must be distinctly separated, especially when interpreting sacred texts. While theology seeks obedience, philosophy is driven by ...

Dive into an engaging exploration of the various political theories that have shaped American political life over the years. This insightful analysis offers a thorough examination of the dominant ideologies that have influenced the nations governance and societal values. - Summary by William Archibald Dunning (from the preface). Proof-listening by cimt, Linny, kristakz, and ChrisGreaves. File editing by kristakz.

What, exactly, is post-truth? Is it wishful thinking, political spin, mass delusion, bold-faced lying? McIntyre analyzes recent examples - claims about inauguration crowd size, crime statistics, and the popular vote - and finds that post-truth is an assertion of ideological supremacy by which its practitioners try to compel someone to believe something regardless of the evidence. Yet post-truth didn't begin with the 2016 election; the denial of scientific facts about smoking, evolution, vaccines, and climate change offers a road map for more widespread fact denial.

In his groundbreaking work, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793), William Godwin pioneered the political and economic foundations of anarchism, a term he never explicitly used. He challenged the notion that laws stem from the wisdom of our ancestors, arguing instead that they arise from human passions, fears, jealousies, and ambitions. Godwin contended that the solutions laws propose often exacerbate the very issues they aim to address. Join us as we delve into this thought-provoking exploration of justice and its implications for morality and happiness, summarized by Peter Kropotkin.

Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who was India's 11th president and has been a scientist, a technocrat, a teacher and a thinker, brings his vast experience and keen eye for detail to bear in discussing various aspects of governance. He articulates a vision for India and what each citizen must do to make it a reality. It is only by being honest and morally upright and by working hard that we can achieve the mission of a developed India.

In this course of lectures, Professor Hadley Arkes seeks to recall the classic connection between morality and law. For law works by sweeping away personal choice and private judgment and replacing them with a public rule, meant to be enforced on everyone. And that state of affairs can be justified only if the law can, in fact, appeal to an understanding of the things that are more generally or universally right or wrong.

The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind is a seminal work on crowd psychology by Gustave Le Bon (1841-1931), a French social psychologist. He observes that a crowd forms when an influential idea unites a number of individuals and prompts them to act towards a common goal. In a crowd, the conscious personality of the individual is submerged and dominated by the collective mind. Furthermore, every sentiment becomes contagious to a degree that individuals readily sacrifice their personal interest to the collective.

Is socialism desirable? Is it even possible? In this concise book, one of the world's leading political philosophers presents with clarity and wit a compelling moral case for socialism and argues that the obstacles in its way are exaggerated. There are times, G. A. Cohen notes, when we all behave like socialists.

First published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman tackles many of the punitive patriarchal attitudes that dominated 18th-century society. With warmth and passion, Mary Wollstonecraft urges women to prioritize reason over emotion - a necessary step in building the strength of character required to break free from male notions of female fragility and foolishness. Wollstonecraft bases much of her argument in the case for women's education.

Inventing the Future is a bold new manifesto for life after capitalism. Against the confused understanding of our high-tech world by both the right and the left, this book claims that the emancipatory and future-oriented possibilities of our society can be reclaimed. Instead of running from a complex future, Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams demand a postcapitalist economy capable of advancing standards, liberating humanity from work and developing technologies that expand our freedoms.

James Scott taught us what's wrong with seeing like a state. Now, in his most accessible and personal book to date, the acclaimed social scientist makes the case for seeing like an anarchist. Inspired by the core anarchist faith in the possibilities of voluntary cooperation without hierarchy, Two Cheers for Anarchism is an engaging, high-spirited, and often very funny defense of an anarchist way of seeing - one that provides a unique and powerful perspective on everything from everyday social and political interactions to mass protests and revolutions.

Good in Theory is a podcast about political philosophy and how it can help us understand the world today. Want to know what's in Plato's Republic or Hobbes's Leviathan but don't want to read them? This is your pod. I explain my favourite books in political theory in enough detail that you’ll feel like you read them yourself. Deep but not heavy. No experience needed.