POLS 320 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Semantic Gap, Compulsory Education, Political Philosophy
6 Oct 2020
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Document Summary
Recovering the origin and tracing the influence of political ideas over time. To uncovery and expose semantic gaps" (gaps in meaning). It is a fallacy to assume that a political idea that we use today in our political reasoning is just the same as it was centuries ago. To depoliticize" the study of political thought--not just ideas that are popular or acceptable, but even controversial or unpopular ideas (e. g. totalitarianism, marxism, nationalism, fascism) Ancient concepts of liberty had very little to do with politics. Oldest example of liberty: cuneiform known as amagi" (c. 24. Amagi as status-marker person whose debts were forgiven by some lender or creditor. Semantic gap : one can be free and not-free at the same time. No connection between political freedom and other aspects of pre-modernized society. Arguing why some particular idea or interpretation of a political idea should be prioritized or valued. Liberty and equality are both considered democratic values.
