Political Philosophers

History Beyond The Textbook

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CiceroHistory Beyond The Textbook

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What is a Political Philosopher?

A political philosopher is a person who studies the government, laws, politics, and any other legal authority that may exist in a country or state. These philosophers often question the people’s relationship with their government. Political philosophy can be traced to ancient Greece nearly 2,500 years ago.

The Thinker Auguste Rodin

Plato

Plato published his work, The Republic or Politeia, in 360 B.C. This is considered to be the first known philosophical writings about politics. In it, Plato compares the governments of various Greek city-states. He goes on to discuss the ideal state and how it might evolve. Plato was the second of the three great philosophers from ancient Greece. His teacher had been Socrates, and one of his students was Aristotle.

History Beyond The Textbook

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It is believed that Plato was related to the great Athenian leader Solon through his mother’s family.

427-347 B.C.

Aristotle

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Aristotle wrote that the state, or government, had its roots in the family. He also argued that the state’s role was to support the development of the people. Aristotle’s philosophy revolves around the relationships between people and the roles played in those relationships. One of the relationships Aristotle discusses is that of the ruler and ruled. He uses the roles of this relationship to justify slavery. Aristotle founded a famous school in Athens, the Lyceum.

Aristotle was the private teacher of Alexander the Great.

384-322 B.C.

Marcus Tullius CiceroHistory Beyond The Textbook

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106-43 B.C.

Cicero was a great Roman Senator and speaker. He served Rome when people who wanted to do away with the representatives of the people and seize absolute power threatened the republic. Cicero was also a great writer. One of his most famous works is De re public or On the Republic. In this work, Cicero uses a Socratic dialogue with characters from the past to describe events and problems of Rome during Cicero’s life. The Greek philosopher Plato’s The Republic heavily influenced Cicero’s work.

Niccolo MachiavelliHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1469-1527 A.D.

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher and writer during the Renaissance. He is best known for two of his works, The Prince and Discourses on Livy. In The Prince, Machiavelli writes that the ruler is justified in committing acts that might be considered evil as long as those acts contribute to the greater good. Machiavelli seems to contradict himself in Discourses when he writes in support of republicanism and even discusses a system of checks and balances necessary for successful government. What both essays have in common is Machiavelli’s belief that government should strive for the common good and that the state takes precedent over the individual.

Francis BaconHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1561-1626 A.D.

Francis Bacon is best known for his contributions to science. It was Bacon who developed the scientific method, which was a procedure for investigating the natural world. Bacon also argued the same methodology could be applied to philosophical questions man posed. Bacon also served as a member of Parliament in England. Unfortunately, Francis Bacon’s career ended after he was convicted of multiple counts of corruption and banned from holding public office.

Thomas HobbesHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1588-1679 A.D.

Thomas Hobbes was an English political philosopher who published the book Leviathan in 1651. This work would influence other philosophers for many years. Hobbes makes a case for a powerful sovereign, or executive. Hobbes wrote Leviathan during the English Civil War, and the chaos he witnessed around him influenced his work. Hobbes believed it was the sovereign who should be the one to control civil and military power. Hobbes was also a great historian who translated many ancient works into English.

James HarringtonHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1611-1677 A.D.

James Harrington was an English political philosopher who published a famous book entitled The Commonwealth of Oceana in 1656. In this book, Harrington writes of an ideal republic. Harrington spoke of term limits for political figures and the importance of land to a successful republic. Harrington believed if more people owned property or at least had the chance to acquire land, the people would feel more a part of society and work to make it a better place. The same ideas Harrington argued for many years ago, have become vital parts of our beliefs today.

Algernon SydneyHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1623-1683 A.D.

Algernon Sydney was an English politician and political philosopher who took the side of Parliament during the English Civil War. Sydney is most famous for his opposition to oppressive government. In his most famous work, Discourses on Government, which was published after his death, Sydney writes that people are justified in overthrowing a government that is depriving the people of their liberty. While Sydney’s beliefs would eventually lead to his execution in 1683, his work would have a major influence on the American Colonists and lead to the American Revolution.

John LockeHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1632-1704 A.D.

John Locke was an English doctor and philosopher who wrote extensively about natural law. His most famous work is Two Treatises of Civil Government, which was published in 1690. Locke believed God had created a universe based on order, and God’s universe was possible to understand using human reason. He also believed all men were born with basic rights. These rights included the rights to life, liberty, and property. If these words sound somewhat familiar, it is because Thomas Jefferson studied Locke’s work and included them in the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson would change the word “property” to “the pursuit of happiness.” Locke’s phrase also was included in the First Continental Congress’ Declaration of Colonial Rights.

Charles de MontesquieuHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1689-1755 A.D.

Montesquieu was a famous French political philosopher who published The Spirit of Laws in 1748. In his book Montesquieu holds up the English form of government as the best because it had a separation of powers among the different branches of government. Montesquieu believed that separating the government would prevent it from becoming too powerful and depriving the people of their rights. Separate branches could also watch over each other to ensure no other branches overstepped their bounds. Montesquieu’s work would inspire James Madison, the Father of the Constitution.

Jean-Jacques RousseauHistory Beyond The Textbook

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1712-1778 A.D.

Rousseau was a philosopher born in Switzerland who lived much of his life in France. He rejected the commonly held notion of his day that reason could overcome all. He believed human feelings were just as important. Rousseau’s most important work is The Social Contract, which was published in 1762. The phrase “social contract” refers to an agreement between the people and their government. In this agreement the people agree to relinquish some of their rights in exchange for security. Rousseau also argued that government had a responsibility to the people. His writings in this area are considered the foundations for socialism.