Introduction:
Now that you have read Machiavelli's The Prince and examined both the principles guiding this work and how this work makes a philosophical break with the Ancients, you have the opportunity to learn about Social Contract theory and one of three Social Contract theorists, of your choice, and how that philosopher reflects the same break with the Ancients that Machiavelli makes in The Prince.
In order to demonstrate your understanding of how modern political philosophers, and modern philosophy in general, breaks with the Ancients, you are to examine a modern political work and outline how the philosopher who wrote that particular work departed from the Ancients' approach to philosophy. In order to begin this project click on the "Directions" link in order to learn the objectives of this lesson and what you must do in order to fulfill those objectives. After reading the directions go to the "Background" link in order to learn about Social Contract theory and the phlosophers you have to choose from. After doing this, go to the "Philosophers" link. On this page you will find links to sites that contain the texts of various modern philosophers. This page will allow you to gain access to a major work written by the philosopher that you choose to use in order to demonstrate how modern philosophy breaks with the Ancients. Use the "Outline" link to review exactly how you are to reflect your understanding of the philosopher's work and how that work breaks with the Ancients. Good luck- and remember: HAVE FUN! |
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Home Page |
Directions |
Background |
Philosophers |
Outline