Week Eight: Pessimism

Both the conservative Scruton and the Marxist Zizek describe themselves as being pessimists in some sense. Reflecting on their pessimisms (they are not pessimistic in the same sense), is pessimism a necessary component of political wisdom?

Week Seven: Can't buy me love...

In short, David Cameron (British Prime Minister), argues (http://www.ted.com/talks/david_cameron) that through information technologies public policy can increase citizen 'wellbeing' on the cheap (and that it must be done on the cheap because there is no more money to spend on public services).

Do you basically agree or disagree with Cameron, and why?
What is one way you can think of that government (local, state, or federal) can foster citizen wellbeing without increasing public spending (or with minimal increase)?

Week Six: Aristotle, Liberalism, and Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching ultimately derives from Aristotle (via St. Thomas Aquinas whose great work was to reconcile the truths of reason with those of faith). Here is an informative article contrasting our modern liberal conception of politics and a Christian-Aristotelian conception:  http://distributistreview.com/mag/2012/08/liberalism-and-the-absence-of-purpose/

What do you think is the single greatest strength of the modern-liberal view as Storck describes it? What do you think is the single greatest strength of the older Christian-Aristotelian view? Is there a rational basis for preferring one over the other?

Week Five: Natural Rights

In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson argues that there is a natural law that guarantees 'inalienable rights', including those of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As Shapiro points out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS16-tI5Zxk), this way of thinking (in both Locke and Jefferson) relies on certain theological presuppositions. Now, what are the consequences for the notion of natural rights (or human rights) when a society becomes skeptical about the very notion of theological truths?