80-635 Social and Political Philosophy

12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Broadly speaking, political philosophers are interested in whether, and to what extent, government use of coercion can be justified, and how formal social and political institutions should be structured in order to be legitimate. Social philosophy encompasses these political questions, but also looks at how individuals should live together and how individual behaviors can impact not only state institutions but also more informal social norms and institutions. This is an advanced course in social and political philosophy, aimed at providing students with an in-depth familiarity with classic and contemporary questions both theoretical and applied.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025

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