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Political
Theory, often also referred to as 'political philosophy' or 'political
thought,' approaches the study of politics with theoretical and
philosophical concerns foremost. According to political theorists
in order to be able to robustly describe a given political phenomena
or problem and prescribe viable and morally legitimate alternatives
or solutions, one must cultivate a comprehensive, holistic grasp
of the human condition. More specifically, one has to develop
a consistent set of theories including: epistemology (theory of
knowledge), metaphysics (theory of reality), philosophical anthropology
(theory of human nature), and ethics (theory of value and obligation).
Only having done so can one attempt to answer perennial questions
such as: "what is the meaning of life?" "what is the good life?"
"what is politics?" "what is the purpose of politics?" "what is
justice?" and so on. The history of Western Political Philosophy,
stretching from Homer to Habermas, consists largely of the successive
efforts of political theorists to formulate and persuade others
of the validity and utility of their widely divergent answers
to such questions.
The academic study of Political Theory encompasses both the critical
examination of the historically rooted philosophical efforts of
others and the effort to engage in political theory for oneself.
Close reading, careful reflection, and critical scrutiny of the
so-called 'canonical' political philosophers fills one with a
sense of conceptual possibilities, limitations, and alternatives.
However, eventually, the point of such study is to begin to formulate
one's own views. Remarkably, for all their differences, political
theorists through the ages have agreed with the dictum, attributed
to the philosopher Socrates, that "the unexamined life is not
worth living." Courses in political theory include surveys of
the history of Western political theory, thematic studies, and
analyses of contemporary issues and range from from abstract philosophical
considerations to concrete questions of public policy.
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