Social Theory. An Introduction

What is the basis of a Natural Law theory? Every Natural Law doctrine tries to answer such questions as the character of the law, its validity, the relation between state, law and morals. What we mean by nature in this frame of connections? Do we mean the nature of man, that is, the psychic, internal nature, or do we understand by it physical, external nature? Can a Natural Law doctrine deduce its propositions from the laws governing physical nature?
Political power is an elusive concept. It embraces two radically different relations: control of nature and control of man. Power over nature is mere intellectual power. It cosists in man’s understanding of lawfulness of external nature for the ultimate purpose of subjecting external nature to man’s needs. Political power is social power focused on the state. It involves control of other men for the purpose of influencing the behavior of the state, its legislative, administrative and judicial activites. The notion of consent of a social contract between the citizen and his government, is central to this problem.
This course examine the social contract theories of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.