PHI 411 - The Nature and Justification of the State

Credit Hour(s): 3
This course will examine the meaning of a sovereign state, and whether it is possible to justify its existence on moral grounds. It will first consider the theoretical issues of how states might come into existence without violating any basic moral principles, and if that is possible, whether the resulting state would be morally superior to anarchy. In addition, if the state is justifiable at all, how extensive a state can be justified? Students will consider state of nature, utilitarian, contractual, and libertarian theories. The second element of the course involves the consideration of specific actions of states in order to determine the extent to which those actions might be unjustifiable even if the state ultimately is justifiable. The issues here will include the use of force, punishment, paternalism, taxation, prohibition, redistribution, conscription, and war. 3 Credit(s).

Meets Non-Bible-based Religion/Philosophy Requirement.
Prerequisite(s): One course in philosophy.
Course Session Cycle: SP
Course Yearly Cycle: ODD