2009 Course Handbook
PHIL351: Social Philosophy
Defenders of modernity point to the achievements of modern science and technology, the consumer affluence in market economies, and the individual freedoms protected by the liberal democratic state. Critics of modernity point to the environmental costs of unconstrained economic growth, the alienating nature of much work, enormous inequalities in the distribution of wealth, and threats to our sense of personal and social identity. Has the modern world 'progressed,' become more rational or enlightened? Or is the very idea of such progress a dangerous illusion? Do modern societies carry the potential for transformation into something radically better?
This unit explores these questions by examining the work of various twentieth-century social philosophers. We shall consider a number of key themes in social philosophy, such as the critique of instrumental reason, the question of technology, our relationship with nature, the prospects for modern selfhood and social freedom, and the problem of historical progress in modernity. We shall draw on the work of well-known philosophers such as Heidegger, Habermas, Adorno, Marcuse, and Honneth, and will be concerned to analyse their insights in light of contemporary social debates on technology, globalisation, environmentalism, and modern freedom.
| Credit Points: | 4 |
| Contact Hours: | 3 |
| When Offered: |
D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year
X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year (On Campus session: No session) |
| Staff Contact: | Dr Jean-Philippe Deranty |
| Prerequisites: | (40cp including 4cp in 200-level PHIL) or admission to GDipPhil |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCWs: | |
| Unit Designations: | Social Science |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: |
Department of Philosophy |
Timetable Information
For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.