1. Philosophy of the Human and the Posthuman
Class 3

2. 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?

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

4. John Stuart Mill On Liberty 1859

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

6. 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….

7. 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?

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

9. Mary Wollstonecraft
Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792)

10. 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

11. Independence Independence vs dependence
Independence Independence vs dependence? Independence vs inter-dependence

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

13. 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

14. 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