Egalitarianism and Anti-Egalitarianism (ETHICSOC 174E, PHIL 174E, POLISCI 138E)

How do we argue for equality today? How did we argue for equality in the past? This class will introduce students to egalitarian and anti-egalitarian thought and to contemporary conceptions of equality. It will provide an in-depth introduction to the concepts and arguments deployed when inequalities are discussed by philosophers, economists, scientists, and politicians. The class will present a diversity of perspectives: from 19th century racialism to Rousseau's Second Discourse and Social Contract, to African socialism and Rawlsian and post-Rawlsian egalitarianism, and more.