Polsc22 1 introduction to political philosophy

An introduction to ancient and medieval political philosophy.

1. Introduction to Political Philosophy

2. “ a strife of interest masquerading as a contest of principles ” He speaks for the cynics But 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 Cynicism

3. Political Philosophy

4. Problems dealt in Political Philosophy

5. Descriptive dimension The aspect of philosophy that describe how things are The six issues require a comprehensive knowledge of the facts about human nature and human social relationships Dimensions of Political Philosophy

6. Prescriptive or normative dimension The aspect of political philosophy that prescribes how things ought to be The need of knowledge concerning principles of evaluation that enable us to construct and apply a standard to judge politics Dimensions of Political Philosophy

7. The facts that we identify as worth describing in the human condition profoundly affect our evaluations and prescriptions What 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?

8. 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 Berlin It is an attempt to truly know both the nature of political things and the right to the good political order. – Leo Strauss Political Philosophy

9. Political Science and Political Philosophy

10. The Problem: Its Diagnosis and Prescription

11. Conflict

12. Edmund 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 .” Conflict

13. Many 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 ) Conflict

14. Conflict Examples: Plato’s philosophy resulted from Socrates’ death St. Augustine’s from the fall of Rome Machiavelli’s from Italy’s disunity Hobbes’s from the English Civil War

15. Contemporary political philosophies have resulted from: T he Nazi Holocaust Crisis of liberal democracy Emergence of bureaucratic state Globalization Gender inequality Political correctness Nuclear proliferation Terrorism Various threats to individual liberty Conflict

16. Political philosophies of the past emerged as a result of particular historical irritant; yet their texts also transcend their own times a nd 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. Conflict

17. Conflict

18. Philosophy and Diagnosis Political philosophers provide a comprehensive vision of the political when they raise questions and provide (often tentative) answers about the most important factors that cause: conflict disorder corruption violence terrorism exploitation and revolution

19. Philosophy and Diagnosis For example: Hobbes examines human passions Plato on differences as the basis for justice Machiavelli focuses on human deception and its relevance to successful political leadership Marx addresses the role that economic inequality and class conflict play in forming political system.

20. Philosophy and Diagnosis Political 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.”

21. Political Philosophy and Political Therapy The 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.

22. Political Philosophy and Political Therapy Some 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?

23. Political Philosophy and Political Therapy There are conflicting norms among political philosophers like Plato’s “justice ” – minding one’s o wn business Marx’s social “justice ” – occurs when each person gives freely of his or her different talents for the public good and everyone’s basic needs are equally provided for Hobbes’ “justice ” – the social situation in which state’s sovereign is obeyed absolutely Which of these conflicting norms concerning justice is true or workable in terms of human needs, talents, and resources?

24. To Leo Strauss: Human beings will never create a society free of contradictions – perhaps even including contradictory norms When 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 Therapy

25. In Summary Political philosophy has factual (descriptive), diagnostic (causal), and evaluative (prescriptive) dimensions

26. The major questions

27. The major questions What 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?

28. The major questions Is 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?

29. End