Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (BOLLI)

SOC6-10-Thu3 

Kemal Onur Toker

This course will take place virtually on Zoom. Participation in this course requires a device (ideally a computer or tablet, rather than a cell phone) with a camera and microphone in good working order and basic familiarity with using Zoom and accessing email.

September 12 - November 21
(No Class October 3)

The concept of the "common good" has its philosophical roots in ancient Greece and China, yet it remains a contentious idea in political discourse. It embodies the aspiration that governance should benefit the majority, aligning with democratic ideals. Conversely, however, prioritizing the majority's needs can also evoke fears of collectivism suppressing individual freedoms. The definition of the "common good" is often contested, even among those who agree on its importance in politics. Indeed, many classical liberal and libertarian thinkers have gone so far as to call into question the very notion of a “common good” that allegedly exists over and above the irreducibly diverse values and interests of various groups and individuals.

Today's global issues, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and renewed geopolitical tensions, underscore the need to reexamine the "common good." This course offers an in-depth exploration of this enduring political challenge through the lens of seven influential philosophers—Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Rousseau, J.S. Mill, and John Rawls—and insights from leaders like Barack Obama, Sam Altman, and Xi Jinping. Utilizing Powerpoint presentations for context and discussion, we will engage with short extracts from key texts to unravel the complexities of the "common good" in contemporary society. The presentations, shared post-session, and the readings, provided in PDF, will enrich our understanding and stimulate a robust dialogue on this fundamental issue.

Roughly the same amount of lecture and discussion.

All course materials (Presentations and PDFs) will be provided by the SGL.

2 hours.

Kemal Onur Toker has taught Global Politics and Renaissance Literature in the UK, Turkey, and the US. His most recent academic article appeared in a collection entitled Money and Magic in Early Modern Drama (2022, Bloomsbury). The recipient of a prestigious American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) fellowship, Toker’s research focuses on how early modern philosophy and literature can shed light on our current problems in global politics and AI ethics.