Introduction to Political Philosophy What is politics, what is philosophy, what is political philosophy and intro to the state of nature

What is Politics?  Politics can be defined as “The question of how to distribute a scarce amount of resources 'justly.'" which is, essentially, the way in which people obtain, keep, and exercise power.  It is the art or the science of government or governing people and affairs.  It requires an existing government or governments.  The word refers to the method or tactics involved in managing a state or government.

 Politics also refers to domestic and international affairs.  Making laws and regulations that affect involved parties, at individual, group and national levels.  A particular government structure affects politics of an individual country or region.

What is philosophy?  The term "philosophy" means, «love of wisdom».  In a broad sense, philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other.  Those who study philosophy are perpetually engaged in asking, answering, and arguing for their answers to life’s most basic questions.  Philosophy is a particular, unique type of thought or style of thinking; philosophy is a pursuit.

 Philosophy is critical and comprehensive thought, the most critical and comprehensive manner of thinking which the human species has yet devised.  Philosophy as a process functions as an activity which responds to society's demand for wisdom, which is bringing together all that we know in order to obtain what we value.  You pose questions and try to find the best answers.  Best answers might bring more questions!  It is hoped this will spur the human potential.

What is political philosophy?  Political philosophy seeks the application of ethical concepts to the social sphere and thus deals with the variety of forms of government and social existence that people could live in.  It provides a standard by which to analyze and judge existing institutions and relationships.  Political philosophy is the study of such topics as politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority.  What they are, why (or even if) they are needed, what, if anything, makes a government legitimate or not, if government is needed or not!  How about a different type of government than what we have?

 Political philosophy is normative discipline.  It is about what is ideal that should be the norm.  What is right, just and morally correct are concerns of political philosophy.  In this way, it is different than descriptive approach.  Political philosophy asks questions like, what rule or principle should govern distribution of goods, power, rights and liberties.  What rights and liberties should people heve, what ideal standards, norms, should govern the distribution of resources?

Here the questions come!  What is relativity issue?  When something is good or bad, that is based on what value?  Who decides what is right and what is wrong or immoral?

State of Nature  What is the natural state?  How would life be without a government?  What is the alternative for the government?  Who distribute and administer political power?

 Our lives are controled or at least affected by decisions of others – rulers – people in the business of governing.  Has there ever been a state of nature? A society without government?  John Locke thought there was a state of nature in 17 century America.  There is still a tendancy in America by some to imagine a life without government can be better.  How about Communist Manifesto in this sense?

How about Hobbes’ thoughts about state of nature?  Who is Hobbes anyway?  Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury (5 April 1588 – 4 December 1679), was an English philosopher, best known today for his work on political philosophy.  His 1651 book Leviathan established the foundation for most of western political philosophy from the perspective of social contract theory.  He thinks that nothing could be worse than life without the protection of the state.

 He believes that strong government is fundamental to ensure that we do not fall into the war of all against all; the state of anarchy.  The state of nature is the state of war; no peace without existence of a legitimate government.  Without a viable authority the human nature will inevitably fall into conflicts.  Political philosophy should begin with studying the human nature.  There are two aspects of it: self-knowledge and knowledge of general principles of physics; human body and its needs.

 Human beings are not angels.  They have desires and wishes.  They seek for more and better; they seek power, property, and dignity and this itself is natural.  These aspects of humans will lead competition and competition needs to be regulated.  He believes that people are equal - an assumption that humans are born equal and they have equal rights before laws.

 People will have conflict for three reasons: For gain, for safety, and for glory.  Hobbes ignored role of morality in his arguments.  There is no justice or injustice, no right or wrong in the state of nature.  Moral notions have no application, but the desires and wishes.