Karlee Dillon
Doctor Lutz
Political Philosophy
12 February 2013
Is it a Philosophy or a Science?
There are two main types of political study, that of philosophy and of science.
In today’s society, there is much disagreement upon which format to study politics.
The two different formats are often termed ancient and modern. Political
philosophy is viewed as the ancient, while political science is viewed as the modern.
Throughout time, society has interpreted and influenced these studies of politics in
many different ways. Over the course of time, the philosophical and scientific
meanings have become almost interchangeable. It can even be said that modern
political philosophy and ancient political science are the same.1 However, I believe
politics should be studied from a philosophical standpoint rather than a scientific
standpoint.
In ancient times it was common for politics to be studied as a science. In fact,
most studies were considered “sciences”, regardless of their content. Politics fell
under this umbrella of studies dated back to the time of Aristotle. According to the
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “Political science…belongs to one of the three
Fred Miller, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Fall 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
URL=<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2012/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
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main branches of science,” which Aristotle distinguishes by, “their ends or objects”.2
Subjects of study such as mathematics, astronomy and even politics were practical
sciences in the second century. If one were to study political science in past
centuries, they would be studying what Aristotle believed to be the executive
science.3 The political science of Aristotle’s time addresses what modern
philosophers would call political philosophy and ethics.4 In simpler terms, “Political
science studies the tasks of the politician or statesman”.5 I would agree with
Aristotle that political science addresses the more logistical aspect of governance.
Specific policies and procedures are some of the main focuses in the scientific study
approach to politics. In modernity, political science has turned into a study of
different sorts. According to Mansfield, in A Student’s Guide to Political Philosophy,
“political science rebelled from political philosophy in the seventeenth century and
in the positivist movement of the late nineteenth century declared itself distinct and
separate”.6 Political science in today’s society is very autonomous. Though there are
benefits to this separation, such as the focus on the specific aspects of government
as mentioned previously, there are also many problems that arise. The true essence
Fred Miller, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Fall 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
URL=<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2012/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
3 Fred Miller, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Fall 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
URL=<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2012/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
4 Fred Miller, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Fall 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
URL=<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2012/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
5 Fred Miller, "Aristotle's Political Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Fall 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
URL=<http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2012/entries/aristotle-politics/>.
6 Harvey Mansfield, A Student’s Guide to Political Philosophy (Wilmington: ISI Books,
2001), 6.
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of this subject of study becomes foreign and difficult to recognize or cultivate in our
society today. However, modern political philosophy is different.
The philosophical approach to politics seems much more logical than the
scientific approach. Philosophically, one is able to discover the answers to practical
questions in politics. For example, “is it rational to believe in hell and what does that
have to do with politics”? No matter how minute or irrelevant a particular topic or
question may seem, in accordance with politics, it is impactful in some way. In the
Limits of Political Philosophy, author James Schall makes the point, “Whether the
core issue that modernity raises – the complete autonomy of man – has ended or
merely changed emphases is one of the most serious issues with which
contemporary political philosophy has to deal.”7 I agree with Schall that the
autonomy of man can pose a great threat on our society today. It is unfortunate how
society accepts the division of a man’s private and public life. It is very modern to
believe human nature is not rational. This unfortunate trend is due in part to the
political science studies of today. One way, in which the philosophy of politics can be
restored, is by following Plato’s example. According to Mark Blitz, in Plato’s Political
Philosophy, “Justice depends on knowing what is good.”8 This philosophy directly
correlates to the function of politics. In order for a government to run a country
properly and justly, politics must portray the true understanding of what is good
versus what is evil. It becomes dangerous when a society has a false understanding
of what is good. Because of this, it is more likely that corruption and destruction
James V. Schall, At the Limits of Political Philosophy (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic
University of America Press, 1996), 53.
8 Mark Blitz, Plato’s Political Philosophy (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University
Press, 2010), 167.
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may occur in a particular society. Having a philosophical outlook on the matter of
politics in general could very possibly improve the state of our government and
nation.
The reason a society should make it a custom to study politics in a
philosophical manner is because of the discovery and cultivation of the truth. With
the scientific way of studying, generally the main points addressed are material and
logistical. However, with a true understanding of philosophy and answering
questions of “why”, the society and government are able to benefit much more. That
is, having a better understanding of true justice and executing it in a correct fashion.