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School of Philosophy · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
This course offers critical reflection on the design and evaluation of public policy, drawing on both moral/political philosophy and the philosophy of science. Topics will vary but may include: · How is the ‘evidence-based policy’ standard best understood? · How should we measure ‘well-being’, and is its distribution crucial to policy assessment? · What inequalities between generations matter? · Is compensation owed for historical injustices? · How should we ration healthcare resources? · Is statistical discrimination (e.g. racial profiling) ever justified? · How should we respond to the under-representation of minorities in public institutions? · Should free speech be stringently protected? · What, if anything, is wrong with ‘virtue signalling’? · Is there a right to privacy?
1 x written assessment (equal to 2,000 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
1 x written assessment (equal to 2,500 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Tutorial participation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 35 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 11 hours of tutorial and tutorial-like activities. b) 95 hours of independent student research, reading and writing supported by Canvas recordings and lecture notes.
Prescribed texts will be available on the course Canvas page in electronic form. Preliminary Reading Cartwright, N. and Hardie, J. (2012) 'Evidence-Based Policy: A Practical Guide to Doing it Better'; Douglas, H. (2009) 'Science in Policy-Making: Objectivity, Values, and Risk'; Anderson, E. (2013) ‘The Imperative of Integration’; Stiglitz, J.E., Sen, A. and Fitoussi, J. (2010) 'Mismeasuring Our Lives: Why GDP Doesn't Add Up'; Wolff, J. (2011) 'Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry'.