USESEC002 History of Political Thought

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Summer 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Petr Slováček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Petr Slováček, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Institute of Central European Studies – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to present principal political-philosophical concepts and opinions through the history of philosophical thinking to students. The attention will be paid to theoretical introduction and preparation of students on independent work with resource texts and their interpretation. With regard to the scope of the topic, the most primary concepts will be mentioned only. However, these concepts are so influential in the history of political thinking that the elementary comprehension and introduction of their principles and fundamentals will enable the students to understand view on development of political thinking and political philosophy in particular. For better availability, the topic will be taught according to historic periods though it requires following the development of separate issues, however it guarantees better availability for students.
Syllabus
  • 1.Pre-socratics and Socrates - step out the myth and issue of the relation fysis and nomoi, Socrates´ discussion with Sophists
    2.Plato and Aristotle - relation to Socrates´ legacy, concept of polis, Plato municipality and his possible position in history of political thinking towards discontinuation of the society (Popper´s critics)
    3. Political thinking in Rome - Cicero
    4.Christianity and its influence - Aurelius Augustine and his concept of earthly municipality
    5. Thomas Aquinas - Christian tradition and re-founded Aristotle, natural law
    6.Decline of medieval order - some elementary motives of political thinking of the 14th century, nominalistic impact on concept of ordo, return to Bible
    7.Utopian projects and Machiavelli - Bacon, Campanella et al.
    8. Modern political philosophy - question of the origin of the state, legitimacy of power, freedom as political principle
    9. Political philosophy in Germany - Kant and Hegel
    10. The 19th century - positivism, Marxism, liberalism
    11. Totalitarianism and its philosophical presumptions - H. Arendt´s and K. R. Popper´s criticism
    12. Some main questions of political philosophy of the 20th century - discussion of liberalism and communitarism, problems of democracy
Literature
    required literature
  • RYAN, A. On Politics. A History of Political Thought: From Herodotus to the Present. New York & London: Liveright Publishing Corporat, 2013. info
    recommended literature
  • SMITH, S. B. Political Philosophy (The Open Yale Courses Series). New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2012. info
  • MILLER, D. - COLEMAN, J. - CONNOLLY, W. - RYAN, A. (eds.). Blackwellova encyklopedia politického myšlení. Brno: Barrister & Principal, 2003. info
  • STRAUSS, L. History of Political Philosophy. Chicago: Rand Mcnally, 1972. info
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
Teacher's information
oral examination
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2017, Summer 2018.
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