Philosophy and real politics /

Many contemporary political thinkers are gripped by the belief that their task is to develop an ideal theory of rights or justice for guiding and judging political actions. But in Philosophy and Real Politics, Raymond Geuss argues that philosophers should first try to understand why real political a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Geuss, Raymond.
Corporate Authors: De Gruyter.
Published: Princeton University Press,
Publisher Address: Princeton, N.J. :
Publication Dates: [2008]
©2008
Literature type: eBook
Language: English
Edition: Course Book.
Subjects:
Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9781400835515
http://www.degruyter.com/doc/cover/9781400835515.jpg
Summary: Many contemporary political thinkers are gripped by the belief that their task is to develop an ideal theory of rights or justice for guiding and judging political actions. But in Philosophy and Real Politics, Raymond Geuss argues that philosophers should first try to understand why real political actors behave as they actually do. Far from being applied ethics, politics is a skill that allows people to survive and pursue their goals. To understand politics is to understand the powers, motives, and concepts that people have and that shape how they deal with the problems they face in their particular historical situations. Philosophy and Real Politics both outlines a historically oriented, realistic political philosophy and criticizes liberal political philosophies based on abstract conceptions of rights and justice. The book is a trenchant critique of established ways of thought and a provocative call for change.
Carrier Form: 1 online resource (128 pages) : illustrations
ISBN: 9781400835515
Index Number: JA71
CLC: D0
Contents: Frontmatter --
Contents --
Preface --
Introduction --
Who Whom? --
Priorities, Preferences, Timing --
Legitimacy --
Tasks of Political Theory --
Rights --
Justice --
Equality --
Fairness, Ignorance, Impartiality --
Power --
Conclusion --
Notes --
Works Cited --
Index.