Political Philosophy
John Hittinger, Ph.D.
International Catholic University Classics Collection, recorded in 2000
Political Philosophy involves the study of the basic concepts of political philosophy from a Thomistic point of view. Building upon the political philosophy of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, twentieth century Thomists Jacques Maritain and Yves R. Simon fashioned a timely and compelling philosophical exploration of political life and a defense of liberal democracy. This course explores the basic texts of Aristotle and Aquinas and examines two important books: Philosophy of Democratic Government (1951) by Yves R. Simon and Man and the State (1951) by Jacques Maritain. Topics to be studied include the nature and purpose of political association, the origin of obligation, the nature of power and authority, the relationship of law and liberty, the role of property and the nature of justice, political equality, and human rights, the relation of Church and state, and the moral political dimensions of war and international relations.
30-minute lectures
Man is Social and Political by Nature
The "Pre-political" and the Problem of Rule
The Citizen and the Regime
Typology of Regimes
Democracy and the Mixed Regime
Tyranny, Totalitarianism and Structural Pluralism
Natural Law and the Roots of Authority
Justice and Rights
Education and Politics
Church and State
Politics, Realism and Power
War, Peace and the Problem of World Government
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Study Materials
Lessons, supplementary reading, suggested assignments.
