Abstract
Though various obligations typically affect our behavior without being recognized, they have a substantial impact on how we operate as human beings. The relationships we have between, say, our parents when in their household obligate us to take out the trash at certain times and wash the dishes after dinner. The relationships we have between our closest friends often oblige us to hear them out when they have undergone a traumatic experience. Upon reflection, it may be easy to point out a number of the obligations which inform our social behavior. What is not so easy, however, is pointing out the foundation for such obligations. In this project I will explore the foundation of obligation, specifically political obligation. Through this exploration I will attempt to situation political obligation in the ontology of political actors. In particular, an analysis of liberal democracy and social democracy, and their ontological backgrounds, liberalism and communitarianism, will be utilized in order to elucidate both the usefulness and the location of political obligation. Ultimately, I will show how recourse to Marxism provides for a more robust account of political obligation.
Thesis Completion
2016
Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair/Advisor
Strawser, Michael
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Arts and Humanities
Department
Philosophy
Degree Program
Philosophy
Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Release Date
May 2016
Recommended Citation
Chambers, Chris A., "Situating Political Obligation in Political Ontology: Ethical Marxism and the Embedded Self" (2016). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 64.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/64