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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Moral Foundations of Politics by Yale University

4.9
stars
5,586 ratings

About the Course

When do governments deserve our allegiance, and when should they be denied it? This course explores the main answers that have been given to this question in the modern West. We start with a survey of the major political theories of the Enlightenment: Utilitarianism, Marxism, and the social contract tradition. In each case, we begin with a look at classical formulations, locating them in historical context, but then shift to the contemporary debates as they relate to politics today. Next, we turn to the rejection of Enlightenment political thinking, again exploring both classical and contemporary formulations. The last part of the course deals with the nature of, and justifications for, democratic politics, and their relations to Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment political thinking. In addition to exploring theoretical differences among the various authors discussed, considerable attention is devoted to the practical implications of their competing arguments. To this end, we discuss a variety of concrete problems, including debates about economic inequality, affirmative action and the distribution of health care, the limits of state power in the regulation of speech and religion, and difficulties raised by the emerging threat of global environmental decay....

Top reviews

SS

Jul 1, 2020

The lectures are easy to understand, the reading materials informative. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and any beginner will be able to grasp the technicalities of Moral Politics after this Course.

MS

Sep 16, 2015

excellant work dont by Dr Ian Shapiro and staff on putting such a mind turning,thought provoking MOOC on a complex and ever controversial subject known as POLITICS!..I hope to see more from them soon

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401 - 425 of 1,049 Reviews for Moral Foundations of Politics

By Kenroya C B

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Jan 3, 2021

With thanks and highest gratitude for the basic Moral understanding and foundations of decisions making.

By Bryan S Q M

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Nov 12, 2020

It was a great course. Recommended for people who are into political philosophy and politics in general.

By Ankita P

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Sep 20, 2020

Totally loved the course. Thank you for this amazing 8 weeks. So grateful to have completed this course.

By Paul C

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Feb 25, 2021

A wonderful course, mainly because of the deep knowledge of Professor Shapiro that he wears so lightly!

By Apoorva S

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Feb 24, 2021

I found the course very interesting. The real life examples helped me understand the principles easily.

By Ilaha Y

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Jul 27, 2020

In addition to being instructive, the course was more effective with the materials it shared. Thank you

By Andrés R

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Jun 8, 2020

Amazing path that collects elements from different traditions and joining them to a wonderful final !!!

By Wong Z X

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Oct 30, 2020

Rather content heavy yet enjoyable module. Learnt a lot of different perspective and argument pointers

By Regene L

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Jun 16, 2020

This course was detailed without being draggy and was easy to follow even for a politics noob like me.

By Arnaldo M

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Aug 15, 2018

the clarity with which the teacher explains the topics makes the course engaging and very interesting!

By Bruna C

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Dec 6, 2015

Lessons are very objective, while explanations are made clear by useful and easy to remember examples.

By Harry J J

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Apr 2, 2021

An excellent review of the questions posed by society, and the proposed solutions over the centuries.

By Onyekwelu-Udoka T O

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Jun 25, 2020

I learnt soooo many things

The course was sooo interesting and less boring made me want to learn more

By Özgün K

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Mar 3, 2020

It was a course where I got new information. The course was helped to me for my educational in Turkey

By Dominique D

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Jul 12, 2018

This course was the most challenging and rewarding course that I have taken on the Coursera platform!

By Bui K N

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Jun 22, 2022

What a memorable and effective course, thank you Professor Shapiro, I will miss this course so much.

By Akash B

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Aug 2, 2020

Even being a graduate student in political science, this course has been so engaging and insightful.

By Carolina O G

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Jul 6, 2020

Really great course to get a better understanding of political/social/economical theories/doctrines.

By Julieta I O J

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Jul 24, 2020

Loved it, very interesting and it really gets you to think about society, past, present and future.

By Kayla S

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Jun 14, 2020

Amazing course. The lectures were so engaging and helped make connections with contemporary events.

By Lori C

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Sep 7, 2016

Wonderfully structures course, questions pose critical thinking that applies outside of coursework.

By Eoin Y

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Dec 13, 2023

Insightful, accessible and enagaging insight to core enlightenment thinking. Very much enjoyed it!

By Patricia E N C

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Aug 27, 2023

El profeso y el material excelentes. Eso sí: ha sido un curso muy demandante de tiempo y esfuerzo.

By Melissa M Q

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Jul 2, 2020

Excelente. Lo super recomiendo. Muy buena traducción al español. El profesor es el mejor. Gracias.

By Ezio A

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Apr 26, 2021

Excelente curso, de gran utilidad para las distintas áreas de estudio de las ciencias políticas.