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Philosophy and Real Politics

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Brief Description
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... Read More
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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. This book argues that philosophers should first try to understand why real political actors behave as they actually do.

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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 criticises 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.

'A discipline-altering book.' Glen Newey, London Review of Books

'[Geuss's] intention in Philosophy and Real Politics, his short, sharp new book, is . . . to introduce a note of realism into contemporary philosophical debates about justice, by force if necessary.' Adam Kirsch, City Journal

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691258690

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 June 2024

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 128

About the Author

Raymond Geuss is professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Cambridge. His many books include A World without Why; Outside Ethics; Public Goods, Private Goods (all Princeton); and Not Thinking like a Liberal.

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