Skip to main content

What are the contributions of political thought to political development?

This is a fascinating question, especially when one views the history of political philosophy in the context of the political systems that prevailed during the exact time that varying philosophies were being put forward.


For example in ancient China, the political philosophy of Confucius was generally thought to be in support of the imperial rule extant during the fifth century B.C. (though many factions throughout China vied for power, and warfare was a constant during his...

This is a fascinating question, especially when one views the history of political philosophy in the context of the political systems that prevailed during the exact time that varying philosophies were being put forward.


For example in ancient China, the political philosophy of Confucius was generally thought to be in support of the imperial rule extant during the fifth century B.C. (though many factions throughout China vied for power, and warfare was a constant during his lifetime). Confucius advocated for placing the most moral and conscientious rulers in positions of power, from emperors on down to court officials, regional authorities, local authorities, bureaucrats, religious officials, etc. He counseled all members of society, be they children in relation to their parents or peasants in relation to their landlords, to conduct themselves with respect and courtesy (this was meant to cut both ways). He advocated for correct behavior, correct language, correct social manners, politeness, and a profound sense that all people and all institutions have the good of all people in mind when conducting one's affairs. His ideas were actually officially promulgated a few centuries after his death by China's emperors.


The ancient Greek political philosophers are famous for their advocacy of various political systems, ranging from outright tyranny to the more liberal forms of democracy (as limited as democracy was to free Greeks). Plato, for one, advocated for rule by a very limited cadre of supremely trained and educated elites who disavowed the lives of acquisition or for the exercise of mere power, arguing that only rulers steeped in the severe discipline of divining the key to making all sectors of society work in concert for the good of the nation were qualified to rule. Various city-states did indeed adopt the various political philosophies of Greece's greatest theorists, with much of the Western world indebted to the development of political thought created thousands of years ago.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more