Philosophy of the Human and the Posthuman Class 3

Last class: 1. Primacy of reason, rationality (Descartes, Kant) 2. Theory of the self – atomistic? or relational? 3. Theory of social relations – contractual? or relations of care?

John Locke Two treatises on government 1689 Natural rights Private property Toleration

John Stuart Mill On Liberty 1859

John Stuart Mill On Liberty (1859) arguments in support of liberty; limits of freedom of speech; distinction between private and public spheres.

John Stuart Mill On Liberty (1859) What are Mill’s arguments for freedom of speech? What are the limits on freedom of speech? Why does he draw a sharp distinction between private and public spheres? Is this distinction subject to criticism? Consider the strengths and shortcomings of Mill’s arguments in the light of recent challenges, e.g….

Consider strengths and shortcomings of Mill’s arguments in the light of recent challenges, e.g… Is there a case for censorship? Under what circumstances? Who should decide? What is the appropriate response to public defenders of causes like extreme right patriotism; holocaust denial; etc.: ‘de-platforming’? or debating?

John Stuart Mill On Liberty (1859) Why does Mill draw a sharp distinction between private and public spheres? How tenable is this?

Mary Wollstonecraft Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

Humanist values … reason; rationality individualism; separateness; independence freedom; autonomy; agency human exceptionalism universalism hierarchical binary exclusionary Individualism; Separateness Reason; rationality Freedom; agency Universalism Hierarchical exclusionary Individualism; Separateness Reason; rationality Freedom; agency Universalism Hierarchical exclusionary

Independence Independence vs dependence Independence Independence vs dependence? Independence vs inter-dependence

Independence vs inter-dependence Separateness (atomism) vs relationality Implications for ethics: Kohlberg and Gilligan

Individualism; Separateness vs relationality Independence vs inter-dependence Reason; rationality vs emotion; feeling Freedom; agency vs coercion; oppression Universalism vs difference, diversity Hierarchical vs non-hierarchical Binary vs plural Exclusionary vs inclusive

Themes of next class Class 4 (30 Oct 2018) (specific references to be advised) Triumph and decline of humanism; Michel Foucault: “death of man”; Meanings of the posthuman