Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy

Previously unpublished writings from one of the most important political philosophers of recent times

G. A. Cohen was one of the leading political philosophers of recent times. He first came to wide attention in 1978 with the prize-winning book Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence. In subsequent decades his published writings largely turned away from the history of philosophy, focusing instead on equality, freedom, and justice. However, throughout his career he regularly lectured on a wide range of moral and political philosophers of the past. This volume collects these previously unpublished lectures.

Starting with a chapter centered on Plato, but also discussing the pre-Socratics as well as Aristotle, the book moves to social contract theory as discussed by Hobbes, Locke, and Hume, and then continues with chapters on Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche. The book also contains some previously published but uncollected papers on Marx, Hobbes, and Kant, among other figures. The collection concludes with a memoir of Cohen written by the volume editor, Jonathan Wolff, who was a student of Cohen's.

A hallmark of the lectures is Cohen's engagement with the thinkers he discusses. Rather than simply trying to render their thought accessible to the modern reader, he tests whether their arguments and positions are clear, sound, and free from contradiction. Throughout, he homes in on central issues and provides fresh approaches to the philosophers he examines. Ultimately, these lectures teach us not only about some of the great thinkers in the history of moral and political philosophy, but also about one of the great thinkers of our time: Cohen himself.

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Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy

Previously unpublished writings from one of the most important political philosophers of recent times

G. A. Cohen was one of the leading political philosophers of recent times. He first came to wide attention in 1978 with the prize-winning book Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence. In subsequent decades his published writings largely turned away from the history of philosophy, focusing instead on equality, freedom, and justice. However, throughout his career he regularly lectured on a wide range of moral and political philosophers of the past. This volume collects these previously unpublished lectures.

Starting with a chapter centered on Plato, but also discussing the pre-Socratics as well as Aristotle, the book moves to social contract theory as discussed by Hobbes, Locke, and Hume, and then continues with chapters on Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche. The book also contains some previously published but uncollected papers on Marx, Hobbes, and Kant, among other figures. The collection concludes with a memoir of Cohen written by the volume editor, Jonathan Wolff, who was a student of Cohen's.

A hallmark of the lectures is Cohen's engagement with the thinkers he discusses. Rather than simply trying to render their thought accessible to the modern reader, he tests whether their arguments and positions are clear, sound, and free from contradiction. Throughout, he homes in on central issues and provides fresh approaches to the philosophers he examines. Ultimately, these lectures teach us not only about some of the great thinkers in the history of moral and political philosophy, but also about one of the great thinkers of our time: Cohen himself.

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Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy

Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy

Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy
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Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy

Lectures on the History of Moral and Political Philosophy

Overview

Previously unpublished writings from one of the most important political philosophers of recent times

G. A. Cohen was one of the leading political philosophers of recent times. He first came to wide attention in 1978 with the prize-winning book Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence. In subsequent decades his published writings largely turned away from the history of philosophy, focusing instead on equality, freedom, and justice. However, throughout his career he regularly lectured on a wide range of moral and political philosophers of the past. This volume collects these previously unpublished lectures.

Starting with a chapter centered on Plato, but also discussing the pre-Socratics as well as Aristotle, the book moves to social contract theory as discussed by Hobbes, Locke, and Hume, and then continues with chapters on Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche. The book also contains some previously published but uncollected papers on Marx, Hobbes, and Kant, among other figures. The collection concludes with a memoir of Cohen written by the volume editor, Jonathan Wolff, who was a student of Cohen's.

A hallmark of the lectures is Cohen's engagement with the thinkers he discusses. Rather than simply trying to render their thought accessible to the modern reader, he tests whether their arguments and positions are clear, sound, and free from contradiction. Throughout, he homes in on central issues and provides fresh approaches to the philosophers he examines. Ultimately, these lectures teach us not only about some of the great thinkers in the history of moral and political philosophy, but also about one of the great thinkers of our time: Cohen himself.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781400848713
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 10/27/2013
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 376
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

G. A. Cohen (1941-2009) was the Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at All Souls College, University of Oxford, from 1985 to 2008. At the time of his death, he held the Quain Chair in Jurisprudence at University College London. His books include Finding Oneself in the Other and On the Currency of Egalitarian Justice, and Other Essays in Political Philosophy (both Princeton). Jonathan Wolff is professor of philosophy and dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at University College London.

Table of Contents

Editor's Preface vii
Acknowledgments xi
Part One Lectures 1
Chapter 1 Plato and His Predecessors 3
Chapter 2 Hobbes 65
Chapter 3 Locke on Property and Political Obligation 103
Chapter 4 Hume's Critique of Locke on Contract 120
Chapter 5 Kant's Ethics 138
Chapter 6 Hegel: Minds, Masters, and Slaves 183
Chapter 7 Nietzsche 201
Part Two Papers 245
Chapter 8 Bourgeois and Proletarians 247
Chapter 9 T he Workers and the Word: Why Marx Had the Right to Think He Was Right 268
Chapter 10 R eply to Elster on "Marxism, Functionalism, and Game Theory" 284
Chapter 11 Review of Karl Marx, by Allen W. Wood 298
Chapter 12 Reason, Humanity, and the Moral Law 305
Part Three Memoir 325
Chapter 13 G. A. Cohen: A Memoir, Jonathan Wolff 327
Works Cited 345
Index 355

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This collection of lectures—erudite, demanding, and precise, yet funny and accessible—captures Jerry Cohen's inimitable voice and sparkling brilliance. Whether discussing Plato, Locke, Marx, or Nietzsche, Cohen guides the reader through the historical context while rejuvenating its urgency by interweaving modern political concepts. Cohen's rare approach—combining charitable interpretation, intellectual honesty, analytical clarity, and a love of teaching—exemplifies how to treat historical texts as contemporary interlocutors."—Seana Shiffrin, UCLA School of Law

"These essays demonstrate brilliantly Cohen's intellectual commitment to going naked into the debating chamber. Arguments are broken down, reconstructed, analyzed, and evaluated with such perspicuity that readers can pinpoint precisely where their own judgments diverge from Cohen's, while being challenged to match his standards in responding. It is a measure of the sharpness of Cohen's intellect that even the essay on Nietzsche, where his knowledge is most limited, offers insights and arguments of real merit."—David Owen, University of Southampton

"Jerry Cohen prepared his lectures with the same meticulous care as his published writing. This collection shows him engaging with some of the greatest thinkers of the past, scrutinizing their ideas and doing his best to formulate them to match his own high standards of clarity and precision. Those meeting Cohen here for the first time will encounter his unique voice: unrelenting in its pursuit of an argument but never petty or pedantic. It is a book from which we can all learn."—Michael Rosen, Harvard University

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Related Subjects

Philosophy
Major Branches of Philosophical Study
Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Ethics & Moral Philosophy - Theoretical
Philosophy
Major Branches of Philosophical Study
Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Ethics & Moral Philosophy - Theoretical

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