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Artwork for Reading Political Philosophy: From Machiavelli to Mill - Audio
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Reading Political Philosophy: From Machiavelli to Mill - Audio

The Open University

The history and development of political philosophy has been dominated by many inspirational and radical thinkers. The tracks on this album offer both an introduction and an in-depth insight into the leading theorists in this field and their most important works. In a series of lively and invigorating discussions, leading political philosophers examine canonical texts and seminal thinkers from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century, highlighting their intellectual and cultural impact and the context in which the texts were originally written. This material forms part of The Open University course AA311: Reading political philosophy, from Machiavelli to Mill.

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  • 18 episodes
  • Updated Aug 23, 2009

Episodes18

Newest first
  • Aug 23, 2009 · 47 min

    Machiavelli: Nigel Warburton and Quentin Skinner

    An in-depth discussion of Machiavelli’s The Prince, including its social, historical and moral context and the book’s continuing relevance to contemporary political thought.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 52 min

    Hobbes: Jon Pike and Quentin Skinner

    Concentrating on the masterpiece Leviathan, Hobbes’ political and social doctrine is defined and considered, along with Hobbes’ thought on the viability of monarchy.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 53 min

    Locke: Jon Pike and Jeremy Waldron

    A wide-ranging discussion of Locke using the Second Treatise as a starting point. Locke’s relationship to liberalism and modern liberal theory is analysed, as well as his relationship to the ‘state of nature’ debate.

  • Aug 23, 2009

    Transcript -- Locke: Jon Pike and Jeremy Waldron

    Transcript -- A wide-ranging discussion of Locke using the Second Treatise as a starting point. Locke’s relationship to liberalism and modern liberal theory is analysed, as well as his relationship to the ‘state of nature’ debate.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 56 min

    Rousseau: Derek Matravers and Timothy O’Hagan

    Rousseau and his opinions on liberty are discussed with particular reference to his seminal 1755 text Discourse on Inequality. A wide number of topics including sovereignty, legislators and social choice, is broached.

  • Aug 23, 2009

    Transcript -- Rousseau: Derek Matravers and Timothy O’Hagan

    Transcript -- Rousseau and his opinions on liberty are discussed with particular reference to his seminal 1755 text Discourse on Inequality. A wide number of topics including sovereignty, legislators and social choice, is broached.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 28 min

    Marx: Derek Matravers and Jonathan Wolff

    This discussion focuses on the concept of production and labour in Marx’s writings, and the way in which they highlight aspects of fundamental historical materialism, formal equality and the relationship between the state and the individual.

  • Aug 23, 2009

    Transcript -- Marx: Derek Matravers and Jonathan Wolff

    Transcript -- This discussion focuses on the concept of production and labour in Marx’s writings, and the way in which they highlight aspects of fundamental historical materialism, formal equality and the relationship between the state and the individual.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 29 min

    Derek Matravers and Gerry Cohen on The German Ideology

    The German Ideology, Marx and Engels’ 1845 book, is dissected and discussed. The discussion highlights the importance of the book in terms of Marx and the development of his theory of history, the inevitabilities in history, and rights as a moral truth.

  • Aug 23, 2009

    Transcript -- Derek Matravers and Gerry Cohen on The German Ideology

    Transcript -- The German Ideology, Marx and Engels’ 1845 book, is dissected and discussed. The discussion highlights the importance of the book in terms of Marx and the development of his theory of history, the inevitabilities in history, and rights as a moral truth.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 29 min

    Mill: Nigel Warburton and Alan Ryan

    This debate analyses Mill’s On Liberty. Arguments are made as to whether the book has a single, viable truth and what it can tell us about choice, freedom of speech and self-development.

  • Aug 23, 2009

    Transcript -- Mill: Nigel Warburton and Alan Ryan

    Transcript -- This debate analyses Mill’s On Liberty. Arguments are made as to whether the book has a single, viable truth and what it can tell us about choice, freedom of speech and self-development.

  • Aug 23, 2009 · 18 min

    Mill: Nigel Warburton and Janette Radcliffe-Richards

    This discussion focuses on a feminist reading of Mill, concentrating particularly on his treatise On the Subjection of Women and its relevance to 19th Century society and culture. Mill’s precarious position as an early feminist is discussed in depth.

  • Aug 23, 2009

    Transcript -- Mill: Nigel Warburton and Janette Radcliffe-Richards

    Transcript -- This discussion focuses on a feminist reading of Mill, concentrating particularly on his treatise On the Subjection of Women and its relevance to 19th Century society and culture. Mill’s precarious position as an early feminist is discussed in depth.