17.01/24.04 Justice
Spring 2006
Professor: Joshua Cohen
TAs: David J Etlin, Erik Freeman, Adam Omar Hosein, Llewelyn Hughes, Neil G Ruiz, Jessica M. Sin
Lecture: MW10 (54-100)
Information:
This course explores three fundamental questions about the ideal of a just society and the place of values of liberty and equality in such a society:
1. Which liberties must a just society protect? Liberty of expression? Religious freedom? Sexual liberty? Economic liberty? Political liberty?
2. What sorts of equality should a just society ensure? (Equality of opportunity? Of economic outcome? Political equality? Equality for different religious and cultural groups?)
3. Can a society ensure both liberty and equality? Or are these warring political values?
We will approach these questions by examining answers to them
provided by three contemporary theories of justice: utilitarianism,
libertarianism, and egalitarian liberalism. To assess the strengths
and weaknesses of these theories, we will discuss their
implications for some topics of ongoing moral-political
controversy—including the enforcement of sexual morality,
protecting religious liberty, financing schools and elections,
regulating labor markets, assuring access to health care,
affirmative action, abortion—that exemplify our three fundamental
questions about liberty and equality. We conclude with some issues
of global justice.
Announcements
Writing Tutor
I have added David Etlin to the list of TAs. David is the writingtutor for Justice. He currently has office hours by appointment,
but will regularize those hours soon.
Announced on 14 February 2006 6:47 p.m. by Joshua Cohen
