Find books like an introduction to political philosophy from the worlds largest community of readers. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It fully meets the requirement that political philosophers. Over the next few years it will grow to a library of around 200 volumes a very short introduction to everything from ancient egypt and indian philosophy to conceptual art and cosmology. After distinguishing political theory from related fields, such as political science, moral philosophy, and legal theory, the article discusses the analysis of political concepts. Books similar to an introduction to political philosophy. It starts by explaining why the subject is important and how it tackles basic ethical questions such as how should we live together in society. This very short introduction provides a concise overview of the main themes of contemporary philosophy of science. Very clear introduction to political philosophy, and the author makes very valid points.
Goodreads members who liked an introduction to pol. Mazzinis middleclass background his father was a medical doctor allowed him to pursue advanced studies in law as well as literature. However, if one thinks that political philosophy may have other ques. Knowledge of german philosophy is, then, an indispensable prerequisite of theoretically informed study in the humanities as a whole. In this book, craig doesnt give a typical historical overview of philosophy which most introductory readers do. An introduction to political philosophy by colin bird. Fully updated for 2011 and including a new chapter on ethics and aesthetics, it steers a clear and lucid path through an often impenetrable subject. In the second edition of this very short introduction, samir okasha explores the main themes and theories of contemporary philosophy of science, and investigates fascinating, challenging questions such as these. An introduction to political philosophy oup, oxford, 2006 nb. The goal of political philosophy is to determine the standards by which we judge different institutions good or bad, just or unjust. It explores the philosophical traditions which have formed and continue to inform our political judgements. A very short introduction this is a lively and interesting introduction to philosophy.
This book serves as an introduction to some of the major theories of justice, to the arguments philosophers have made for and against these theories, and, ultimately, to how to be more thoughtful and rigorous in your own thinking. By calling this pursuit political philosophy, we imply that it forms a part of a larger whole. A reader is a comprehensive compilation of classic and original readings representing all of the major isms. Africana is a more inclusive term for scholarship related to both africa and the diaspora. Three trends in moral and political philosophy department. Political philosophy must use distinctively political concepts, such as power, and its normative relative, legitimation. Three trends in moral and political philosophy gilbert harman department of philosophy, princeton university, princeton nj 08544 usa 1. How much faith should we place in what scientists tell us. A very short introduction introduces ancient debates and focuses on important and revealing features of the subject providing a sense of its. Moore, and ludwig wittgenstein in the four decades around the turn of the twentieth century, analytic philosophy established itself in various forms in the 1930s. Jul 02, 2014 this course is intended as an introduction to political philosophy as seen through an examination of some of the major texts and thinkers of the western political tradition. A very short introduction by edward craig is from the oxford very short introduction series which is a wonderful collection of introductory books. History of western political thoughtpolitical theory i. Political philosophy a very short introduction david.
The project gutenberg ebook, an introduction to philosophy. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think clearly and critically about the leading political questions of. Beginning with the classical greeks and romans, citizenship and patriotism are first discussed. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think clearly and critically about the leading political questions of our time. History of western political thoughtpolitical theory i syllabus. Introduction there have been three good trends in moral and political philosophy over the last fifty years or so. Dudley knowles introduces the ideas of key political thinkers including hobbes, locke, marx and. Download pdf ethicsaveryshortintroduction free online. Professor smith discusses the nature and scope of political philosophy.
This introduction introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy. Life in the state of nature is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. This very short introduction introduces readers to the key concepts of political philosophy. This course is intended as an introduction to political philosophy as seen through an examination of some of the major texts and thinkers of the western political tradition. A very short introduction very short introductions. A very short introduction very short introductions new ed by minogue, kenneth isbn. Browse in philosophy very short introductions online.
Political philosophy political philosophy is a comprehensive introduction to the major thinkers and topics in political philosophy. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. Logos there must be a good explanation to the appearances of the world beyond the tales of how the gods had created everything important for grasping the origins of western philosophy and science. It offers students a generous sampling of key thinkers in different ideological traditions and places them in their historical and political contexts. It also would not be a good text to choose if one want to address more thoroughly the critiques of western.
An introduction to philosophy by george stuart fullerton this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Is it possible for scientific knowledge to be fully objective. Introduction to political philosophy with steven b. A very short introduction addresses many of the central philosophical questions in an engaging and thoughtprovoking style. Feb 08, 2016 today hank begins to teach you about philosophy by discussing the historical origins of philosophy in ancient greece, and its three main divisions. Beginning with a short history of science to set the scene, samir okasha goes on to investigate the nature of scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, revolutions in science, and theories such as realism and antirealism. Providing a comprehensive introduction to political philosophy, this 2006 book combines discussion of historical and contemporary figures, together with numerous reallife examples. It starts by explaining why the subject is important and how it tackles basic ethical questions. This volume in oxfords a very short introduction series offers a concise, readable narrative of the vast span of american history, from the earliest human migrations to the early twentyfirst century when the united states loomed as a global power and comprised a complex multicultural society of more than 300 million people. A short history of african philosophy peace palace library. Though this book promises a very short introduction to the philosophy of law, i use this phrase interchangeably with legal theory, legal philosophy, and jurisprudence. I use the term african to refer to scholarship that is specically concerned with the african continent and its cultures. Introduction to philosophywhat is political philosophy. My goal here is to give you a working knowledge of many of the major issues, ideas, and arguments in political phi losophy.
This was the answer of thomas hobbes, who imagined a world without any political authority, and called it the state of nature. Jan narveson is one of the best contemporary moral and political philosophers, and it is not surprising that his introduction to political philosophy raises a vital issue that most people miss. The oldest of the social sciences, the study of political philosophy must begin with the works of plato and aristotle, and examine in depth the fundamental concepts and categories of the study of politics. Introduction thinkers from the greek world sixth and fifth centuries bc attempted to create general theories of the cosmos world mythos. A very short introduction provides a provocative, but balanced, discussion of the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. A study of western philosophy through the enlightenment. Strictly speaking, however, jurisprudence concerns the theoretical analysis of law at the highest level of abstraction e. A very short introduction originating in the pioneering work of gottlob frege, bertrand russell, g. Well have to know how to weigh equality against freedom or prosperity. Leaders for a new epoch this book is a very good short introduction to political philosophy. Political science addresses empirical and positive questions concerning politics and society for an overview, see goodin 2009. Political philosophy a very short introduction david miller this introduction introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy. A very short introduction by david miller this book introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy. A very short introduction very short introductions by miller, david isbn.
As a means of stimulating interest in the subject it has few rivals. Moore, and ludwig wittgenstein in the four decades around the turn of the twentieth century, analytic philosophy established itself in. Introduction to political philosophy a libertarianism. Lowe university of durham a lucid and wideranging introduction suitable for readers with a basic grounding in philosophy. Since political philosophy is a branch of philosophy, even the most provisional explanation of what political philosophy is, cannot dispense with an explanation, however provisional, of what philosophy is.