Introduction to Political Philosophy

Introduction to Political Philosophya strife of interest masquerading as a contest of principlesHe speaks for the cynicsBut in politics, we cannot avoid questions of truth or falsity, good or bad.He is partly wrong;Politics is also the contest of moral principles

As defined by Ambrose Bierce

Antisthesis The Father of CynicismPolitical PhilosophyProblems dealt in Political PhilosophyDescriptive dimensionThe aspect of philosophy that describe how things areThe six issues require a comprehensive knowledge of the facts about human nature and human social relationships

Dimensions of Political PhilosophyPrescriptive or normative dimensionThe aspect of political philosophy that prescribes how things ought to beThe need of knowledge concerning principles of evaluation that enable us to construct and apply a standard to judge politicsDimensions of Political PhilosophyThe facts that we identify as worth describing in the human condition profoundly affect our evaluations and prescriptionsWhat we establish as a sound basis for prescription leads us to focus on certain facts concerning the human condition.

How are two dimensions related with each other?It begins with the assumption that such public questions as obedience to the law, the best possible government, or the justice of public policies are in need of justification.It is possible only in world where ends collide. Sir Isaiah BerlinIt is an attempt to truly know both the nature of political things and the right to the good political order. Leo StraussPolitical PhilosophyPolitical Science and Political PhilosophyThe Problem: Its Diagnosis and PrescriptionConflictEdmund Burke: the bulk of mankind are not excessively curious concerning any theories whilst they are really happy; and one symptom of an ill-conducted state is the propensity of the people to resort to them.ConflictMany of the great or epic political philosophers have pursued their inquiries as a result of profound social conflict and decay .Their political philosophies and comprehensive visions are like pearls: they are not produced without an irritant (Thomas Spragens)

ConflictConflictExamples:Platos philosophy resulted from Socrates deathSt. Augustines from the fall of RomeMachiavellis from Italys disunityHobbess from the English Civil War

Contemporary political philosophies have resulted from:The Nazi HolocaustCrisis of liberal democracyEmergence of bureaucratic stateGlobalizationGender inequalityPolitical correctnessNuclear proliferationTerrorismVarious threats to individual libertyConflictPolitical philosophies of the past emerged as a result of particular historical irritant; yet their texts also transcend their own times and continue to challenge contemporary political thinkers and partisans to consider the richness of their alternative teachings as part of our contemporary dialogues about our own problems.ConflictConflictPhilosophy and DiagnosisPolitical philosophers provide a comprehensive vision of the political when they raise questions and provide (often tentative) answers about the most important factors that cause:conflictdisordercorruptionviolenceterrorismexploitation and revolutionPhilosophy and DiagnosisFor example:Hobbes examines human passionsPlato on differences as the basis for justiceMachiavelli focuses on human deception and its relevance to successful political leadershipMarx addresses the role that economic inequality and class conflict play in forming political system.Philosophy and DiagnosisPolitical philosophers are not satisfied in simply describing public disorder or discontent;They seek to diagnose the causes of human conflict

Thomas Spargens puts it:the causal analysis which a political theorist provides in his examination of the sources of political disorder decisively shapes his prescriptive conclusion. Sound diagnoses must precede beneficial therapy.Political Philosophy and Political TherapyThe political philosopher offers his or her prescription or therapy by identifying appropriate norms or standards, which help to resolve or diminish human social conflicts, thereby creating a better political order.Political Philosophy and Political TherapySome questions raise by philosophers:Which is the best form of government?Are there proper limits to freedom?What type of equality should be the basis of public policies equal rights, equal opportunities, equal results?What should be basis for just treatment of individuals or groups?If the best form is not achievable, what is the most workable or best possible form under particular conditions?Political Philosophy and Political TherapyThere are conflicting norms among political philosophers like Platos justice minding ones own businessMarxs social justice occurs when each person gives freely of his or her different talents for the public good and everyones basic needs are equally provided forHobbes justice the social situation in which states sovereign is obeyed absolutelyWhich of these conflicting norms concerning justice is true or workable in terms of human needs, talents, and resources?To Leo Strauss:Human beings will never create a society free of contradictions perhaps even including contradictory normsWhen we read philosophers and their different and conflicting norms, we are invited to reflect upon the norms we hold, or to discuss with others whether we should accommodate, tolerate, integrate, or reject these norms in our own imperfect public life.Political Philosophy and Political TherapyIn SummaryPolitical philosophy has factual (descriptive), diagnostic (causal), and evaluative (prescriptive) dimensionsThe major questionsThe major questionsWhat is the ultimate reality? Is it spirit of matter?Is the universe ordered or chaotic?Does God or gods exist?Is life random or providentially guided?Is the universe inclined toward the good and the just, as St. Thomas claims or is it devoid of objective moral purpose, as Nietzsche claims?

Can we know the answers or tentative answers to these questions? If so, how? By empirical evidence? By reason? By faith and divine revelation?

The major questionsIs the universe inclined toward good and the just, as St. Thomas Aquinas claims, or is it devoid of objective moral purpose, as Nietzsche claims?Can we know the answers or tentative answers to these questions?If so, how? By empirical evidence? By reason? By faith and divine revelation?End