Examine how thinkers such as Aristotle, Thucydides and Machiavelli, shaped early ideas of virtue, state power and legitimacy. Explore how these views can be relevant today.
Political and Moral Philosophy
This is a Level 1 course from the Politics and International Relations major, part of the Open Bachelor’s programme. It is worth 6 ECTS and takes place in Term 2 in Lisbon.
Course Summary
What is justice, and how do ideas of rights and equality influence politics? This course delves into these foundational questions by exploring the works of influential thinkers like Aristotle, Hobbes, and Rawls. Students will examine how philosophical frameworks shape governance and ethical debates, connecting historical concepts to contemporary challenges. The course fosters critical discussions on the nature of morality, the legitimacy of authority, and the tensions between individual freedoms and collective responsibilities. By engaging with diverse perspectives, students will develop the ability to interrogate their own assumptions about politics and ethics. Practical applications of philosophical principles to modern-day issues enhance understanding, while reflective exercises deepen insights into the role of values in political decision-making. By the end, students will have developed a stronger grasp of the philosophical roots underpinning political systems and their relevance to today’s world.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
| Description | |
|---|---|
| CLO 1 | Interpret major political philosophical texts to explain foundational ideas about ethics and power in their historical and intellectual context |
| CLO 2 | Apply core philosophical concepts to assess the ethical dimensions of contemporary political events |
| CLO 3 | Effectively and accessibly communicate philosophical arguments in comparative analyses of historical and contemporary political cases to a wide audience. |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Weighting of Course Grade | Group Assessment? | Invigilated? | CLOs Mapped | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Evaluative – Quiz | 20% | No | Yes | CLO 1 |
| Assessment 2 | Written – Essay | 40% | No | No | CLOs 1 & 2 |
| Assessment 3 | Practical – Case Study | 40% | No | Yes | CLOs 1, 2, 3 |
- Assessment 1 Description: A quiz which involves short answers to brief questions to check early understanding of key thinkers (e.g. Machiavelli, Hobbes) and core philosophical terms.
- Assessment 2 Description: A 1500 word essay in which students should critically engage with relevant literature to answer an exam question. Students are encouraged to use AI to help them research and compose the essay, and the grading for the assignment will be significantly weighted on the students’ use of AI which will be assessed and discussed in the academic tutorial.
- Assessment 3 Description: A closed book, invigilated case study that requires students to apply key theories and readings to an unseen scenario, integrating classical philosophy with contemporary critique. Students will have formative practice for this assignment in groups during the course before this individual assessment takes place towards the end of the course.
Indicative List
of Topics
Study how Hobbes and Locke theorized on sovereignty, the state, law and rights. Explain how these themes are still influencing the contemporary understanding of law and individual rights (equality-liberty)
Interrogate the value and relevance of Marx’s ideas in the contemporary world while exploring the issues of poverty, inequality and social exclusions.
Reflect on the application of political philosophy to contemporary themes (9/11- The War on Terror, Russia- Ukraine War, Mao’s Cultural Revolution and Trumpism), exploring the interplay between: (liberal) idealism and political realism, international intervention and (state) sovereignty. Furthermore consider the implications of ideological mobilisation, populism, truth claims, and ethical disruption to the contemporary political scene.
