Introduction to Political Philosophy

Author: (English) Thomas
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Although this book is primarily intended as a political philosophy textbook for students and teachers in philosophy and political science departments, it also provides a clear and cutting-edge guide to the discipline for a broad readership. All the important political philosophers from the past are included here—Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx, John Stuart Mill, Mill, Oakeshott, as well as contemporary philosophers such as Rawls, Dworkin, and Nozick. However, the book is organized by topic, discussing twelve core political concepts: power, authority, state, sovereignty, law, justice, equality, rights, property rights, freedom, democracy, and the public interest. The book is both critical and explanatory, with its main idea being to provide a reliable perspective on this subject rather than persuading readers to accept the author's own political views. It is a classic textbook that offers a profound yet concise introduction to political philosophy. The entire book revolves around the core concepts of political philosophy—power, authority, state, sovereignty, law, justice, equality, rights, property rights, freedom, democracy, and the public interest—discussing high-level theories and difficulties related to these core concepts. It not only cites the essence of the thoughts of great Western political philosophers from ancient times to the present but also reviews the various debates that have arisen around their core ideas and arguments. The book is concise, well-documented, and concludes each section with detailed references, inspiring critical thinking through its explanatory approach. It is suitable for theoretical workers, teachers, and students in the fields of political science, philosophy, law, and other humanities and social sciences.