Differences, Inequalities and the Politics of Law
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing students to philosophical debates on social justice with a focus on three topics: economic inequality, gender oppression and the discipline of sexuality. Special attention will be paid to the analysis of relevant concepts and to the discussion of the potentials and limits of legal reform in promoting social change.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should have acquired:
- knowledge of the main positions in current philosophical debates on economic inequality, including a better understanding of the concepts and different interpretations of equality of opportunity, meritocracy, distributive justice, and structural injustices;
- knowledge of the main positions in current philosophical debates on gender oppression and the discipline of sexuality, including a better understanding of the concepts of sex, gender, gender identity, and of their relations;
- capability to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the discussion of solutions to problems of economic inequality, gender oppression, and discipline of sexuality, with special attention to proposals for legal reform.
In order to exercise their learning, critical and communication skills, students will be required to read texts, to discuss them and to express and defend personal opinions.
- knowledge of the main positions in current philosophical debates on economic inequality, including a better understanding of the concepts and different interpretations of equality of opportunity, meritocracy, distributive justice, and structural injustices;
- knowledge of the main positions in current philosophical debates on gender oppression and the discipline of sexuality, including a better understanding of the concepts of sex, gender, gender identity, and of their relations;
- capability to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the discussion of solutions to problems of economic inequality, gender oppression, and discipline of sexuality, with special attention to proposals for legal reform.
In order to exercise their learning, critical and communication skills, students will be required to read texts, to discuss them and to express and defend personal opinions.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
The course will introduce students to contemporary philosophical debates about justice.
Lectures will cover the following topics:
- theory of justice and ethical theory
- the circumstances of justice
- justice and the importance of institutions
- differences and inequalities
- political equality and equality of consideration
- cosmopolitanism and internationalism
- political tolerance and political neutrality
- multiculturalism and identity politics
- dimensions of individual freedom
- the limitation of individual freedom
- liberalism and individual freedom
- freedom of speech and of the press
- individual freedom in sexual matters
- justice and the family
- conceptions of equality of opportunity
- segregation as an obstacle to equality
- justice and work
- gender and justice
- distributive justice
- justice, the market and redistribution
Lectures will cover the following topics:
- theory of justice and ethical theory
- the circumstances of justice
- justice and the importance of institutions
- differences and inequalities
- political equality and equality of consideration
- cosmopolitanism and internationalism
- political tolerance and political neutrality
- multiculturalism and identity politics
- dimensions of individual freedom
- the limitation of individual freedom
- liberalism and individual freedom
- freedom of speech and of the press
- individual freedom in sexual matters
- justice and the family
- conceptions of equality of opportunity
- segregation as an obstacle to equality
- justice and work
- gender and justice
- distributive justice
- justice, the market and redistribution
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
For attending students, learning will be facilitated by lectures, discussion and individual reading.
Non-attending students should prepare for the exam through individual reading.
Non-attending students should prepare for the exam through individual reading.
Teaching Resources
Attending students should study the following texts:
(1) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Rawls, J., Justice as Fairness. A Restatement, edited by E. Kelly, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2001.
- Nagel, T., Equality and Partiality, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1991.
(2) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Anderson, E., The Imperative of Integration, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2010.
- Dworkin, R., Sovereign Virtue. The Theory and Practice of Equality, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2000 (chapters 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12).
- Scanlon, T.M., Why Does Inequality Matter?, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017.
- Van Parijs, P., Real Freedom for All. What (If Anything) Can Justify Capitalism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995 (chapters 1-5).
(3) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Young, I.M., Justice and the Politics of Difference, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1990 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7).
- Fraser, N., Honneth, A., Redistribution or Recognition? A Political-Philosophical Exchange, Verso, London, 2003.
Non-attending students should study the following texts:
(1) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Rawls, J., Justice as Fairness. A Restatement, edited by E. Kelly, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2001.
- Nagel, T., Equality and Partiality, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1991.
(2-3) Two texts to be chosen from the following:
- Anderson, E., The Imperative of Integration, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2010.
- Dworkin, R., Sovereign Virtue. The Theory and Practice of Equality, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2000 (chapters 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12).
- Scanlon, T.M., Why Does Inequality Matter?, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017.
- Van Parijs, P., Real Freedom for All. What (If Anything) Can Justify Capitalism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995 (chapters 1-5).
(4) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Young, I.M., Justice and the Politics of Difference, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1990 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7).
- Fraser, N., Honneth, A., Redistribution or Recognition? A Political-Philosophical Exchange, Verso, London, 2003.
(1) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Rawls, J., Justice as Fairness. A Restatement, edited by E. Kelly, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2001.
- Nagel, T., Equality and Partiality, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1991.
(2) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Anderson, E., The Imperative of Integration, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2010.
- Dworkin, R., Sovereign Virtue. The Theory and Practice of Equality, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2000 (chapters 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12).
- Scanlon, T.M., Why Does Inequality Matter?, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017.
- Van Parijs, P., Real Freedom for All. What (If Anything) Can Justify Capitalism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995 (chapters 1-5).
(3) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Young, I.M., Justice and the Politics of Difference, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1990 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7).
- Fraser, N., Honneth, A., Redistribution or Recognition? A Political-Philosophical Exchange, Verso, London, 2003.
Non-attending students should study the following texts:
(1) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Rawls, J., Justice as Fairness. A Restatement, edited by E. Kelly, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2001.
- Nagel, T., Equality and Partiality, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1991.
(2-3) Two texts to be chosen from the following:
- Anderson, E., The Imperative of Integration, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2010.
- Dworkin, R., Sovereign Virtue. The Theory and Practice of Equality, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2000 (chapters 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12).
- Scanlon, T.M., Why Does Inequality Matter?, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017.
- Van Parijs, P., Real Freedom for All. What (If Anything) Can Justify Capitalism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995 (chapters 1-5).
(4) A text to be chosen from the following:
- Young, I.M., Justice and the Politics of Difference, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1990 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7).
- Fraser, N., Honneth, A., Redistribution or Recognition? A Political-Philosophical Exchange, Verso, London, 2003.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods and criteria are different for attending and non-attending students.
To be considered an attending student, attendance is required for 3/5 of the classes (12 out of 20) is required. Attendance will be assessed, but students may miss up to four classes without penalty.
For attending students, the final assessment will be based on attendance, participation, a short essay commenting on an academic paper, a written exam and an oral exam.
For non-attending students, the final assessment will be based on a short essay commenting on an academic paper, a written and an oral exam.
For further information on the assessment methods and criteria, guidelines for writing the two essays and the deadlines for their submission, please refer to the document that will be uploaded to the course website on the MyAriel portal before the start of the course.
To be considered an attending student, attendance is required for 3/5 of the classes (12 out of 20) is required. Attendance will be assessed, but students may miss up to four classes without penalty.
For attending students, the final assessment will be based on attendance, participation, a short essay commenting on an academic paper, a written exam and an oral exam.
For non-attending students, the final assessment will be based on a short essay commenting on an academic paper, a written and an oral exam.
For further information on the assessment methods and criteria, guidelines for writing the two essays and the deadlines for their submission, please refer to the document that will be uploaded to the course website on the MyAriel portal before the start of the course.
IUS/20 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours