Main content
Course: Wireless Philosophy > Unit 10
Lesson 1: IntroductionUnit introduction
Geoff Pynn, Associate Professor at Elgin Community College, provides an introductory overview of the philosophical questions that will be explored in this unit on Democracy.
It is a modern truism that democracy is the best form of government. But this is a recent development. For most of recorded history, democracy has been viewed with great suspicion. Even today, many people who support democracy would be hard-pressed to explain why. Join Geoff Pynn as we explore the philosophical foundations of democracy, examine the arguments of some of its most influential defenders, and consider some of the challenges democracies face.
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Explain the problem of political legitimacy.
- Consider the arguments of Mozi and Hobbes for the necessity of the state.
- Describe Plato’s influential argument that democracy inevitably leads to its own breakdown.
- Evaluate Rousseau’s view that democratic elections reveal what is truly best for society.
- Discuss Mill’s utilitarian defense of representative democracy as the system that is best for individual happiness.
- Define liberalism as a political philosophy.
- Evaluate various defenses of democracy as the best form of government.
- Consider the argument that you have a duty to vote.
Geoff Pynn is Associate Professor at Elgin Community College. Previously, he taught at Northern Illinois University (NIU). He teaches on a wide range of topics. His research centers on epistemology. He’s also interested in creating connections between professional philosophers and ordinary people.
From 2011 to 2017, he was the Graduate Adviser for NIU’s successful MA program in Philosophy. He maintains a listing of funding at MA programs in the US and Canada.
Want to join the conversation?
what is the main idea?(3 votes)