Readings:
Daniel Little, Varieties of Social Explanation, "Rational Choice Theory," "Functional and Structural Explanation"
Thomas Hobbes: Selections from The Leviathan, Part One, "Of Man"
Adam Smith: Selections from The Essential Adam Smith:
Helibroner, "The Man and his Times"
Moral Sentiments, Parts I and II
Wealth of Nations, Introduction and Chapters 1-3
Assignment:
We will divide the class into two: half the people will post their summaries of Hobbes's ideas of human nature; the others will do the same with Adam Smith.
In class:
First hour: We will try to put together a comparison/synthesis of Hobbes' and Smith's ideas.
Second hour: lecture on the nature of natural selection