PHIL 1010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Political Philosophy

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHIL 1010
• Professor: Kyle Bromhall

Document Summary

Defines political power as a right of making laws with penalties of death, and consequently all less penalties . Pampered life, never in danger, wealthy, best education. People ignored his political writings until 1776 across the pond. Political power includes the right to command others, and subject them to punishment if they disobey. Task for a political philosopher- to determine the correct balance between autonomy and authority, or to determine the proper extent and distribution of political power. Political philosophy is a normative discipline, meaning that it is to establish norms. Descriptive studies attempt to find how things are: used by political scientist or historian. Normative studies try to discover how things should be: used by political philosopher. Thought it might be possible to have a worth while life in the absence of government. State of perfect freedom: to do whatever the law of nature tells us to do, free because you can accomplish what you want, no visible limitations,