Fndations of Amer Pol Thought

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The primary goal of this course is to examine the principles of classical political philosophy which influenced the political thought of the American Founders. These influences were twofold: first, there is a direct line of development from antiquity to the eighteenth century regarding the best form of political organization; second, the belief of classical thinkers that the practice of the virtues was a necessary prerequisite for good political leadership figured prominently in the political views of the Founders. There will be a two-part structure to the course: (1) a review of classical political thought; (2) an examination of the writings of the Founders. After a brief survey of ancient politics and the political thought of Plato and Aristotle, the first part of the course will be devoted to a reading of Polybius and Cicero, thinkers who are the bridge between the thought of the fourth-century Greeks and the Founders. The second part of the course will concentrate on the writings of the Founders to examine how they understood and incorporated ancient thought into their own moral and political ideas. It is to be hoped that this examination will lead to view the Founders as political thinkers and leaders who did not attempt to found a government on radical principles and out of motives of self-interest, but rather as classically educated individuals who were intellectually formed by a tradition of political and moral thought stretching back to antiquity. Finally, by investigating the influence of classical political philosophy on the Founders, a standard may be established from which we may gauge the deviations encountered in contemporary politics and political leaders.