The Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE)
The Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) reading group has a focus on unified inquiry. Each of these disciplines offers a piece of a larger puzzle about how to understand the world and the opportunities to advocate for productive change. In reverse order:
· Economics is the applied logic of choice
· Philosophy contributes a question of ultimate ends
· Politics is about coordinating leadership and enacting solutions to collective action problems
Combining these tools, students gain insight into three very important parts of thinking about their world. This is a complex study of comparing intention to outcome, reminding ourselves of our ultimate purposes, and thinking critically about how to influence those around us.
History of the PPE degree:
The field started at Oxford as a primer for those looking toward careers in public service.
There is a PPE program at the following US schools:
· Duke University
· University of Michigan
· University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
· University of Pennsylvania
· Pomona College
· Carroll University
· University of Washington Tacoma
· George Mason University
· University of Richmond
· Eastern Oregon University
· Denison University
· Yale University - Ethics, Politics, and Economics?
· University of Iowa
· Carnegie Mellon University
· University of Arizona
· University of Pittsburg
· University of Notre Dame
· Wheeling Jesuit University -Political and Economic Philosophy?
· Taylor University
· The King's College (New York)
· Mercer University
· Tulane University
· Claremont McKenna
· Princeton
· University of Alabama Birmingham
· University of Virginia
Famous Graduates in PPE:
· Christopher Hitchens
· Robert Reich
· James E. Meade
· Tim Besley
· David Cameron
· William Hauge
Academic Journal:
Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: www.sagepub.com/journals/Journal201490
Format of each session:
1) Introduction: The moderator begins with a short discussion of the readings highlighting several possible topics of discussion that might get the conversation started; the cue is then open for anyone who has a response or a new topic of conversation
2) Cue: The moderator keeps a cue that has three distinct categories:
On Point: By pointing down at the table the participant lets the moderator know that he or she would like to contribute to the current discussion
New Point: By raising one's hand this signals to the moderator that the participant would like to add something completely new to the discussion, often to explore a new area of dialogue
SIP (Short-important-point): This is no more than two sentences or a tweet. This can be used to keep the conversation on track if someone introduces material that mistaken or has the potential to mislead the conversation.
This format has been designed to discourage a back and forth debate as different students rotate through conversation. It can be challenging to keep track of different threads of the conversation but is an extremely egalitarian way to have an intellectual discussion.
