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Enrichment • Series

Capitalism v. Socialism: Fundamental Texts (UNIT 2)

Jose Roberto Cossich G

Series Details

Sessions

Public Discussion

This series ended on July 11, 2023. All 1:1 and group chats related to this series are disabled 7 days after the last session.

Series Details

About

Book List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rqjpwv7Xn5WSZJJXzjFNq7QN-h-IvwwlyNrBZG9Z2SM/edit?usp=sharing Office Hours: https://schoolhouse.world/series/1639?celebrate The aim of this series is to analyze Capitalist and Socialist Theory from an objective point of view. We will read Adam Smith and Karl Marx, among many, many more. We will read their critics, discuss the ideas we read in our sessions, and (optionally) write essays analyzing, comparing, and contrasting their ideas. This series is just the second part--on the role of government (liberty v. equality). How we structure each session will be based on this guide: http://www.greatbooks.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Shared-Inquiry-Handbook.pdf Sessions will be added continually.

Tutor Qualifications

I have read a few books on capitalism and socialism, though I hope this series will vastly expand my knowledge.

✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY

Please do not miss any sessions, since we will have a strict timeline for reading each book. However, attendance is optional and we will be summarizing and discussing each week's reading (for those who couldn't read themselves).

Dates

July 6 - July 11

Learners

17 / 20

Total Sessions

23

About the Tutor

A little about me: I'm about the biggest Indie fan there is, I almost exclusively watch (John Hughes>>) 80s movies or the upcoming Star Wars series, and I read sci-fi in my spare time. I tutor for the sake of those aha moments, and have taken Multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, and Complex Analysis. Who knows what I'll tutor next, hope to see you soon.

View Jose Roberto Cossich G's Profile

Upcoming Sessions

0

Past Sessions

23
6
Jul

Session 1

Other Topics

Guiding Question: How does Hobbes describe the "state of nature?" Hey guys, welcome to UNIT 2: THE PURPOSE AND EXTENT OF GOVERNMENT We shall start by discussing and analyzing "Leviathan," by Thomas Hobbes, having read parts 1-2 (approximately 250 pages).We'll discuss his arguments on why governments are necessary and what the "state of nature" is.
20
Aug

Session 2

Other Topics

Guiding Question: How does Hobbes describe the "state of nature?" Hey guys, welcome to UNIT 2: THE PURPOSE AND EXTENT OF GOVERNMENT We shall start by discussing and analyzing "Leviathan," by Thomas Hobbes, having read parts 1-2 (approximately 250 pages).We'll discuss his arguments on why governments are necessary and what the "state of nature" is.
17
Oct

Session 3

Other Topics

Guiding Question: What did Hobbes envision was the role of government? Hey guys, today we will finish discussing and analyzing "Leviathan," by Thomas Hobbes, having read parts 3-4 and the conclusion (approximately 250 pages). We'll discuss his arguments on why governments are necessary, how they should be structured, and any potential issues with his government (criticisms).
22
Oct

Session 4

Other Topics

Guiding Question: What did Mills consider to be the adequate balance between rights and regulation? Are individual freedoms or collective security the priority? Hey guys, today we will discuss John Mills, "On Liberty," (115 pages) wherein he deliberates on when regulation is justified, as well as when it not and instead violates individual rights. Then, we will discuss "Utilitarianism" (65 pages), wherein he discusses whether it is moral to sacrifice individual for communal well-being. This is going to be a crucial theme since free market economics as well as socialist/communist theories assume opposite stances when it comes to government intervention. Those being minimum regulation (which purports to promote individual freedom and well-being) vs. maximum regulation in order to ensure equity (which purports to promote communal well-being). After this, we'll also discuss Robert Higg's "Fear: The Foundation of Government," (15 pages) wherein he discusses how governments expand their reach and power with indifference to individual rights under the guise of protecting their citizens.
26
Oct

Session 5

Other Topics

We will continue to discuss last session's content https://whiteboard.fi/h4978
29
Oct

Session 6

Other Topics

Today we will discuss "Utilitarianism" (65 pages), wherein he discusses whether it is moral to sacrifice individual for communal well-being. This is going to be a crucial theme since free market economics as well as socialist/communist theories assume opposite stances when it comes to government intervention. Those being minimum regulation (which purports to promote individual freedom and well-being) vs. maximum regulation in order to ensure equity (which purports to promote communal well-being). After this, we'll also discuss Robert Higg's "Fear: The Foundation of Government," (15 pages) wherein he discusses how governments expand their reach and power with indifference to individual rights under the guise of protecting their citizens.
4
Nov

Session 7

Other Topics

Continuing last Saturday's session!
6
Nov

Session 8

Other Topics

Guiding Questions: What is Rousseau's main thesis in his "Discourse on Inequality" (approximately 95 pages (including his notes))? How does he support his thesis and how does this relate to any socialist thought? Does this cut down at the idea of Capitalism at the root of inequality?
21
Nov

Session 9

Other Topics

Continuing last Saturday's session.
1
Dec

Session 10

Other Topics

Jamboard:https://jamboard.google.com/d/1jWTC7fbXGGgW0J7_oYjaFVRUM7X1ZIu-_C1_fbvdXqE/edit?usp=sharing Guiding Question: What is Rousseau's main thesis in his "On the Social Contract" (100 pages) and How does Higgs criticize Social Contractarianism? Is this criticism valid? What are both of their main arguments and how do they support or contradict each other?
18
Dec

Session 11

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Guiding Question: How does Rawl's idea of societal "tendency to equality" contrast the ideas proposed in Rousseau's "Discourse on The Origin of Inequality?" What threat, does Rawls propose, could disrupt the quest to equality and justice? Today we will discuss part 2 (pg. 172-347).
22
Dec

Session 12

Other Topics

Guiding Question: How does Rawl's idea of societal "tendency to equality" contrast the ideas proposed in Rousseau's "Discourse on The Origin of Inequality?" What threat, does Rawls propose, could disrupt the quest to equality and justice? Today we will discuss part 2 (pg. 172-347).
27
Dec

Session 13

Other Topics

Guiding Questions: What is Rawls's fundamental assumption in "A Theory of Justice"? Why does Rawls place fairness and equality as the fundamental aim of just governments? How does this relate to the idea of the "veil of ignorance"? We will start by introducing John Rawl's "A Theory of Justice," having read Part 1 (pg.3-171), discussing his underlying assumptions and how those axioms allow him to place equality as the principle around which societies should strive to aim.
28
Dec

Session 14

Other Topics

Guiding Questions: What is Nozick's assumption in "State, Anarchy, and Utopia?" How does he oppose Rawls? Today we'll be starting "Anarchy, State, and Utopia" by Robert Nozick, having read Part 1 (pg. 3-149). We'll be discussing why he constructs his notion of a "minimal" government, one which would favor a capitalist economy, around the idea of liberty. How does this contrast Rawls's approach of an egalitarian society?
1
Jan

Session 15

Other Topics

Guiding Question: What is the proper balance between liberty and equality? Is it ok to sacrifice individual rights for communal well-being? Are all stable governments by necessity democratic? Is there a true tendency to equality? We will cover part 2 of the book (pg.150-297)
8
Jan

Session 16

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Today we will finish A Theory of Justice by John Rawls, particularly part 3 (pg.343-517).
15
Jan

Session 17

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We will cover part 3 of the book (pg.298-335). Then, we will review UNIT 2: THE PURPOSE AND EXTENT OF GOVERNMENT We will review the central ideas of equality proposed by Rawls and Rousseau to those of liberty proposed by Nozick and Mills. Those who wish to write their essays answering these/related questions, please let me know on your progress. Thus we conclude our second unit.
6
Feb

Session 18

Other Topics

Guiding Question: How did George Orwell's experience during the war influence his political views? (We will explore this further when we read his 1984 and Animal Farm in Unit 3) Today we will explore our final piece, Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell (approximately 250 pages).
31
Mar

Session 19

Other Topics

Part 1 - John Rawls's A Theory Of Justice
2
Jun

Session 20

Other Topics

Hey guys, we'll do our second set of essay presentations here!
20
Jun

Session 21

Other Topics

Part 1 - John Rawls's A Theory Of Justice
28
Jun

Session 22

Other Topics

Part 1 - John Rawls's A Theory Of Justice
10
Jul

Session 23

Other Topics

Part 1 - John Rawls's A Theory Of Justice

Public Discussion

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