‎The Modern Political Tradition: Hobbes to Habermas - Apple TV

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Everyone uses the fruits of political philosophy without realizing it; whether they are being used well; navigating the labyrinth of Western political and social theory; tracing the rise of movements including capitalism, conservatism and socialism.

Special Interest · 2014 · 35 min

Starring Lawrence Cahoone

EPISODE 1

Origins and Conflicts of Modern Politics

Discussing political philosophy's continuing influence in the world; its major concepts, including democracy, republicanism and liberalism; moral realism versus moral relativism; how the history of modern political thought evolves through the ages.

34 min · 30 May 2014
EPISODE 2

Ancient Republics, Empires, Fiefdoms

Modern political philosophy emerges out of medieval feudalism; the history of politics leading up to 16th-century Europe; the development of ancient political organization; the ideas of Plato and Aristotle; the contributions of medieval philosophy.

30 min · 30 May 2014
EPISODE 3

Machiavelli's New Order

The legacy of Niccolo Machiavelli, the first modern political philosopher and political scientist; breaking with the classical virtue politics of Plato, Aristotle, Rome and medieval Christianity; establishing a new order of political thought.

29 min · 30 May 2014
EPISODE 4

Hobbes, Natural Law, the Social Contract

The first version of social contract theory by Thomas Hobbes, who bases his view on moral relativism and a pessimistic state of nature; why the people must give up control to the sovereign in order for society to function, according to Hobbes.

31 min · 30 May 2014
EPISODE 5

Locke on Limited Government and Toleration

John Locke and his notion of the state of nature and the social contract; reinterpreting civic republicanism in terms of the preservation of property; following the arguments he presents in his Second Treatise on Government and Letter on Toleration.

32 min · 30 May 2014
EPISODE 6

Rousseau's Republican Community

Swiss writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau endorses the social contract, but his ideas differ from Hobbes and Locke; examining Rousseau's legacy and thought, which seek to recapture what he sees as the independence and equality of primitive society.

31 min · 30 May 2014

Lawrence Cahoone

Host