John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) has been called the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century. His essay On Liberty applied his system of utilitarianism to society and the state. (This image is in the public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.)
Prof. Lucas Stanczyk
24.04J / 17.01J
Spring 2012
Undergraduate
This course explores the ideal of social justice. What makes a society just? We will approach this question by studying three opposing theories of justice—utilitarianism, libertarianism, and egalitarian liberalism—each foundational to contemporary political thought and discourse.