What Is Political Philosophy?

Summary

This script explores the essence of political philosophy, distinguishing it from political science by focusing on the deeper meanings behind political actions, structures, and motivations. It delves into the origins of politics from ancient Greek thought and connects it to modern concepts of justice, rights, and liberty. The discussion references key philosophers like Plato, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, emphasizing the ethical pursuit of 'the good' and how political structures evolve. The script underscores the ongoing philosophical debate about knowledge, societal change, and the pursuit of understanding in an ever-changing world.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ The word 'political' originates from the Greek word 'polis,' meaning city, and refers to matters related to society and government.
• 🧠 Political philosophy explores deeper issues behind human social interactions, unlike political science, which focuses on the structure of government and elections.
• ⚖️ Political philosophy addresses concepts such as justice, rights, liberty, and the good, which transcend specific political movements or ideologies.
• 🔍 Political actions, according to philosopher Leo Strauss, aim to either preserve or change the existing political order, with motivations rooted in what is considered ethically good.
• 🤝 Political philosophy examines the motivations and principles guiding individuals and groups in their desire to preserve or change the status quo.
• 📚 Plato, Aristotle, and other philosophers laid the foundation for debates about justice, rights, and liberty, which continue to be relevant today.
• 🌀 The mid-17th to 18th century saw significant changes in political structures, shifting the understanding of how power could transform, as explored by thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
• ⚡ Political philosophy reacts to changes in the world, helping to explain and understand shifts in political and social values.
• 🔄 Philosophers continue to argue about these concepts because knowledge is not static; it evolves with changing reality.
• 🔗 The quest for knowledge in political philosophy is ongoing, reflecting humanity's continuous debate over political, ethical, and social issues.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'political'?

The word 'political' originates from the ancient Greek word 'polis,' which means city. In Greek civilization, the city-state was the primary social and political structure.

How does political philosophy differ from political science?

Political philosophy looks at the deeper and broader issues behind political phenomena, such as the meaning of political actions and motivations. In contrast, political science focuses on the analysis of government structures, elections, and the practical workings of political power.

What is the main focus of political philosophy according to the script?

Political philosophy focuses on understanding the meanings behind political actions, motivations, and the ethical principles that guide political behavior. It explores concepts such as justice, rights, liberty, and the good.

What is the key insight provided by Leo Strauss in his work 'What is Political Philosophy?'?

Leo Strauss highlights that all political actions aim at either preserving or changing political circumstances. He emphasizes the importance of ethical motivations, where both sides in politics believe they are pursuing the 'good.'

How does political philosophy relate to ethics?

Political philosophy is deeply connected to ethics, as political actions are often motivated by what individuals or groups believe to be ethically 'good.' This moral sense guides their efforts in preserving or changing political structures.

What historical shift affected political philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries?

In the 17th and 18th centuries, political power structures began to change significantly, with philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau addressing the transformation of political authority and how societies can change politically.

How did ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle influence modern political thought?

Plato and Aristotle laid the groundwork for political concepts such as justice, rights, and liberty, which still influence political discourse today. Their ideas continue to frame modern discussions on political philosophy.

What does Strauss mean when he says that philosophy is a quest for knowledge?

Strauss argues that philosophy seeks to uncover deeper truths, and the pursuit of knowledge continues because reality keeps changing. Thus, political philosophy evolves as societal structures and political conditions change.

What is the significance of the concepts of 'rights' and 'liberty' in political philosophy?

Rights and liberty are fundamental concepts in political philosophy, addressing the moral and legal entitlements individuals hold in society. Philosophers explore how these concepts shape the governance and structure of political systems.

How does political philosophy address the idea of change in political structures?

Political philosophy examines why and how political structures change. It seeks to understand the meaning and implications of changes in political power and social institutions, analyzing both historical and theoretical shifts in governance.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Understanding the Roots of Political Philosophy

This paragraph explores the origin of the term 'political,' tracing it back to the Greek word 'polis,' which means 'city.' It explains how politics relates to the governance of society and its philosophical underpinnings. The distinction between political science and political philosophy is introduced, with political science focusing on the mechanics of political systems (elections, power struggles), while political philosophy delves deeper into the meanings and ethical motivations behind political actions, examining the ideas of preservation and change in political systems. The works of Leo Strauss are mentioned, particularly his essay 'What is Political Philosophy?', which helps frame these complex questions.

05:02

🤔 Ethics and the Nature of Political Discourse

This paragraph discusses the contentious nature of political debates, exemplified by the ongoing U.S. election. It highlights how both sides of a political debate believe they are advocating for the ethical 'good,' even as they vilify the opposition. The role of political philosophy is to step back from these debates and reflect on larger concepts such as justice, rights, and liberty, which have been central to political thought since Plato. The paragraph emphasizes that these concepts transcend individual political movements and are timeless, requiring ongoing philosophical inquiry to distinguish between mere opinion and true knowledge.

10:04

⚖️ The Evolution of Political Power and Structures

This paragraph addresses the changing nature of political power, especially from the 17th century onward. It notes that prior to this period, political power was seen as static and unchanging, but this view was upended as political structures began to evolve. Philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau grappled with these changes, each offering different perspectives on rights, liberty, and justice. The idea that political structures themselves can change fundamentally was a new and significant shift in thought during this era, and these philosophers' works continue to influence our understanding of political systems today.

🔄 Enduring Philosophical Debates in a Changing World

In this final paragraph, the author reflects on how the questions posed by philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau continue to resonate in modern political thought. Each philosopher offers a different approach to understanding political society, and these differences highlight the complexity of political philosophy. The paragraph also emphasizes the ongoing nature of philosophical inquiry—since knowledge is not easily obtained and reality is always changing, philosophers must continuously adapt their thinking. The quest for understanding in political philosophy is described as a dynamic process that remains central to addressing the core issues that shape human life.

Keywords

💡Political

The term 'political' originates from the Greek word 'polis,' meaning city, and refers to matters related to society or governance. In the video, it encompasses the broader discussion of societal organization, governmental structure, and the pursuit of power, as opposed to the technical aspects of winning elections, which is covered by political science.

💡Polis

'Polis' is an ancient Greek term meaning 'city' or 'city-state.' It is foundational to the concept of politics, as it originally referred to the structure of Greek society. In the video, 'polis' is used to explain the historical roots of politics, illustrating how discussions about society and governance derive from this concept.

💡Political Philosophy

Political philosophy refers to the study of deeper questions underlying political structures and actions. Rather than focusing on how power is acquired or used, political philosophy explores meanings behind concepts like justice, rights, liberty, and the ethical motivations that drive political actions. The video emphasizes how political philosophy differs from political science by addressing these broader, more abstract issues.

💡Political Science

Political science focuses on the practical analysis of political systems, such as election processes and the distribution of power. It contrasts with political philosophy, which delves into the ethical and theoretical foundations of politics. In the video, this distinction is made to clarify that political science addresses the 'nuts and bolts' of governance, while political philosophy seeks to understand the underlying meanings and principles.

💡The Good

In the context of the video, 'the good' refers to the ethical ideals that guide political actions. Political philosophy explores what individuals and groups believe is morally right and how this belief motivates their political behavior. The concept is rooted in philosophical discussions by thinkers like Plato, and the video highlights its relevance in contemporary political debates, where both sides often believe they are fighting for the greater good.

💡Justice

Justice is a core concept in political philosophy, representing fairness, rights, and ethical governance. The video mentions Plato's exploration of justice and its continuing importance in modern political discussions. Political philosophy asks what justice means in different contexts and how it should be applied in society, making it a fundamental topic for philosophers and politicians alike.

💡Liberty

Liberty, or freedom, is a key concern in political philosophy, relating to the individual's rights within a political structure. The video explains how philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau grappled with questions about the meaning and limits of liberty. This concept remains central to discussions about human rights and political governance.

💡Political Structures

Political structures refer to the organization and distribution of power within a society. In the video, this concept is discussed in the context of how political structures change over time and what drives these changes. The 17th and 18th centuries brought significant shifts in how people thought about governance, leading to philosophical inquiries into why and how political structures evolve.

💡Change

Change is a key theme in the video, especially in the context of political and social structures. The video explains how philosophers react to changes in political power, and how shifts in governance challenge static views of political order. Philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau sought to understand the reasons behind political change and its impact on society.

💡Ethical Motivations

Ethical motivations refer to the moral beliefs and values that drive political actions. In the video, it is argued that all political actors, regardless of their stance, are guided by what they believe to be ethically 'good.' This concept is vital for understanding political behavior, as both sides of a political conflict often think they are acting in the best moral interest of society.

Highlights

The term 'political' comes from the ancient Greek word 'polis', meaning 'city', reflecting how politics originally concerned life within the city-state.

'Political philosophy' focuses on deeper questions of meaning behind political actions, unlike 'political science', which focuses on the mechanics of politics like elections and party dynamics.

Leo Strauss’s 1957 essay 'What is Political Philosophy?' emphasizes the distinction between preserving or changing political circumstances, key themes in political philosophy.

Political philosophy examines core ethical concepts such as justice, rights, liberty, and the good, which have been debated since Plato’s time.

Plato and Aristotle set the framework for modern political debates, introducing core ideas about justice, rights, and governance that persist today.

Both sides in political conflicts typically believe they are pursuing what is 'ethically good', even when they oppose each other fiercely.

Political philosophy seeks to understand the ethical motivations behind political actions, such as why people or groups seek to preserve or change political systems.

Philosophy evolves by reacting to changes in the political and social world, helping to explain and understand these transformations.

The mid-17th century saw a shift in the understanding of political power, with philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau exploring how political structures change.

Political philosophers of the Enlightenment, such as Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, contributed distinct perspectives on concepts like rights, liberty, and justice.

Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau provided three different approaches to thinking about political society, which continue to influence political discourse today.

Philosophy is an ongoing quest for knowledge, constantly adapting as reality and societal structures evolve.

Strauss notes that human beings' search for knowledge, particularly about politics and ethics, is never complete due to the ever-changing nature of reality.

Political philosophy grapples with fundamental questions about the meanings of justice, liberty, and political change—issues central to the human experience.

As society and political structures continue to change, philosophy must also adapt and refine its understanding of concepts like rights, justice, and governance.

Transcripts

political what it really should mean

is a sense of community of course the

word political is one of the words that

comes from the ancient greek word polis

which simply means the city

and so

polis to political all things political

are related to all things about the city

or society because of course the greek

civilization mostly thought in terms of

the city state

so from polis we get the idea of

politics and we get the idea of police

and we get the idea of the suffix of a

city in metropolis where i'm from

minneapolis is the name of the city of

many waters

so what

polis has come to mean for us today is

anything related to the idea of

government and society

we of course also have the word social

which comes from the latin which

basically has to do with the sense of

community and we can talk about social

philosophy as philosophy of human

interactions

and that's slightly different but

overlapping with political philosophy

which has to do with things about

government

politics itself is about governmental

structure and of course the winning of

elections and gaining power and of

course playing politics which is a whole

other nastiness

but in political philosophy we don't

really deal much if at all with

questions about the actual structure of

a political state

or

how elections are won that is in the

realm of something called political

science political philosophy like all

branches of philosophy is looking at the

deeper broader issues that lie behind

the phenomena that we see in human

social interactions

so the philosophy of the political is

looking at what lies beneath the

political phenomena that we see in

various human societies

so while political science

will ask the question how is it that

certain politicians win elections or how

is it that particular political parties

rest power from other particular

political parties political philosophy

is looking at the questions of what are

the meanings of political actions what

are the meanings of political

motivations what is it that we're really

talking about when we talk about

political action and political

motivations a seminal essay on this

topic was written by philosopher leo

strauss published in 1957

entitled what is political philosophy

and he lays down two very important ways

of looking at what is political and what

is political philosophy when he talks

about how all political actions aim at

either preservation of existing

circumstances or changes to existing

political circumstances and again while

political science may be talking about

the nuts and bolts of analyzing

particular ways in which parties or

groups have

tried to preserve or change political

situations philosophy looks at well what

do we mean when we're talking about this

what does it mean to preserve political

power what does it mean to change

political power what does it mean for

political or social situations to change

for the better or change for the worse

and what are the principles and

motivations that guide human beings both

as groups and as individuals to want to

preserve or change what is the current

status quo within a society

and as strauss very adeptly points out

all of this is dependent on the idea of

the good one of the important thoughts

which is fairly ignored by political

science because they're only interested

in the nuts and bolts issues because

they're a science not a philosophy and

actually lost in politics itself

is the very important reality that

people who are involved in politics

however they are involved are all guided

by an ethical sense of what they believe

is good

ethical

good and that is what motivates their

actions

politics of course has always been

although seemingly especially today

dominated by just yelling at each other

and demonizing your political opponents

the reality is is that both sides of the

people in the shouting match are

believing that what they are trying to

do is good ethically good and ethically

necessary

as i am doing this right now there is a

rather contentious election going on in

the united states

and both sides think that the other side

is completely evil and that they're

completely good

funny how they both believe that with

complete sincerity nevertheless what we

as philosophers can do and need to do is

look at this and say okay well both

sides do believe that

they have the good on their side this is

what human beings do and we have to keep

that in mind as we are talking about

politics and talking about society

so when in politics and in political

philosophy we talk about such concepts

as the good and justice and rights and

liberty

we should be reminded that oh hey yeah

plato talked about these things didn't

he it's so popular to just oh plato he's

a weirdo i don't like him at all

and yet he is framing the debate that

still happens today because he

first identified these very important

concepts

justice rights the good

liberty these are concepts

that transcend any particular

philosopher or transcend any particular

political party or movement

and when strauss mentions how we're

looking here for something that is no

longer opinion but knowledge

there is the sticky wicket of well when

do we really have knowledge as opposed

to simply an opinion of what is good

what is justice what are human rights

these of course are the questions that

political philosophy tries to deal with

and so plato tried to answer these

questions aristotle tried to answer

these questions and now the philosophers

that we're dealing with this week

try to deal with those questions

but we're dealing with this question of

what is political philosophy now as

opposed to when we were talking about

plato and aristotle because there is

some changes going on here in the mid to

late 17th century and into the 18th

century

and that is that the political order has

broken down i mentioned in the videos

and lectures on the medieval period and

the renaissance period that political

power was being transformed by events

going on in the world

philosophy is best when philosophy

reacts to

changes that are going on in the world

philosophy helps us to explain and

understand change

and as political

values and institutions change

philosophy needs to

reflect on that and take these changes

into consideration of the discussion of

what are we talking about when we talk

about justice and rights and liberty and

so on

and one of the chief changes that

philosophy of this period has to deal

with

is this sudden change

that political power changes

not just in terms of who is the king

this year

but in terms of how the structure of

political power can itself change

so when you look at some of these

philosophers in this period of time

keep in mind that one of the things that

they are trying to answer is that

question of what does it mean

for political structures to change

and why and how do political structures

change again as i mentioned in the

lectures on medieval in the renaissance

period

the idea that political power was static

just like the universe itself was static

is a very old and ancient idea

it wasn't just plato it wasn't just

aristotle it was embedded within human

society

not just western civilization either

but in the mid 17th century you could

see these structures which have been

assumed to be inviolate

to be changing and of course that was

nothing compared to what was about to

happen in the

18th century

philosophers like hobbes and locke and

rousseau

were prescient in seeing how these

things can change and why these things

can change

looking at these three philosophers we

see three very interesting and different

approaches to these questions of what is

political power what is political

structure and of course what are we what

are we meaning by rights and liberty and

justice

and their struggles with these questions

still reverberate within our world today

we can still see

a hobbesian a lockheed and russoian

way of thinking about

political society

and acting within political society

and those three different approaches

and thus leading to three different sets

of answers

is something that is very important for

you to keep in mind when you are

thinking about these philosophers and

thinking about philosophy in the rest of

this course and of course thinking about

society and politics in our world today

as strauss also said quite wisely

philosophy is a quest for knowledge

and you may ask yourself constantly

why is it that philosophers are still

arguing about these questions well

that's because humanity is still arguing

about all of these questions not just

about politics but about knowledge about

ethics about ontology about everything

why are we still arguing about

everything because as strauss wisely

points out the quest would not be

necessary if knowledge were immediately

available

and it's not not just in terms of

politics

but in terms of everything

the conversation of philosophy is

continuous because the knowledge is not

that easily obtained

and of course and here's the annoying

thing

the knowledge keeps changing because

reality keeps changing and so therefore

you as a philosopher as someone with a

philosophical mind needs to constantly

adapt and change to the changes in your

world

so then back to the question what is

political philosophy we're trying to

deal with these questions of change in

political and social structures

why they change

how they changed

and what are the meaning of those

changes

and that is central to

the question of just about everything

else that matters that truly matters in

human life