The Stakes of Political Philosophy

[Originally written on 8 May 2007]

The monumental implications of political philosophy are all too often underestimated in contemporary times. I will admittedly state now that initially, upon taking political philosophy, my inclination, which I assume is rather universal among college students, was to render the ideas of the theorists assigned obsolete. Some of the texts were literally ancient. Only now, upon modest but meaningful exposure to these philosophers have I come to grasp the enormous influence they wield upon the political processes and institutions of our time. Reading, comprehending and contemplating political philosophy is essential—for the ideas these theorists espoused, while customary to us, were quite foreign in their time. The concepts of justice, liberty, freedom, human enlightenment and collective progress are embedded in the documents, institutions and minds of western culture. But they did not begin there. These concepts, first formulated so long ago by political philosophers, provide the basis for civilized society. Indeed, the ideas of past philosophers articulate eloquently and convincingly the very necessity for society.

Through the ages, political philosophy has evolved—and not coincidentally, so too have political institutions. Wars have been fought, revolutions initiated and nations multiplied because of the most fundamental tenets of western political philosophy. We foolishly take certain concepts for granted, but their validity was not always universally accepted. To understand the basic elements governing civilized society, philosophy is essential—for it enables one not only to trace the origins of these concepts but also to do what is necessary to sustain them for the betterment of humanity. Longevity has always ranked at the top of the list of objectives of societies and civilizations—and in history often was assured at any cost. The revolutionary—and evolutionary—ideas of Plato, Thomas Hobbes and Immanuel Kant theorized that the achievement of this most fundamental objective was not inconsistent with the assurance of justice, security, freedom and equality. Indeed the institutionalization of these concepts was, they believed, among the most effective means to assure longevity.

For Plato, the purpose of politics is to create a just society. The Republic is devoted entirely not only to defining justice but to conceiving the ideal political arrangement most capable of assuring it. “A city comes into being because each of us isn’t self-sufficient but is in need of much” (Plato 46). Of all human needs, justice is first and foremost—for it is the foundation of a prosperous and happy existence. Injustice inhibits peace, facilitates violence and division, and ultimately renders longevity unachievable. The unjust city or society will thus rot from within—its existence is vile and its days numbered. The stakes of political philosophy were evident to Plato—philosophizing and theorizing over the meaning of justice and the political arrangement most likely to assure its institution was an essential task, Plato argued. It remains so today. The concept of justice today is the very basis of our democratic society—and customary as the idea is today neither its definition nor institution was realized in the time of Plato. Indeed, it can be asserted that it has not been realized in our time. Herein rests the importance of political philosophy—continual contemplation and, ultimately, continued progress toward true justice. This must be our goal—and reliance upon the power of philosophy is crucial to ensure its eventual attainment.

Thomas Hobbes believed that man is, in the state of nature, unjust and dangerous. In articulating the need for a governing power, Hobbes proclaimed that “where there is no common power, there is no law; where no Law; no injustice” (Hobbes 71). In a civilized society, governed by a sovereign entity of total supremacy, the sustaining of these concepts can be assured. Hobbes compelling articulates that in the state of nature, one’s life is vile. In the state of nature, a human’s existence is described by Hobbes as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” (Hobbes 70). The creation of a civilized society permits humanity to escape its natural affection for greed, hedonism and barbarity, instead establishing a foundation for law, justice and security. Indeed, in the case of Hobbes the stakes of political philosophy could not be more glaringly obvious. Not only does political philosophy serve the purpose of guiding how a society should be managed, but even more fundamentally it provides—in the form of the writings of Hobbes and others—a rational and compelling illustration of the very necessity for society. Without the law and order that naturally flows from the establishment of a governing state, the goals of longevity—in this case not of the state but of humanity itself—and justice will go unachieved. Humanity’s existence will be no better than that of a brutal animal.

Immanuel Kant offers the most choice-worthy political philosophy, concurring with Hobbes’ perception of the austere state of human existence in the state of nature. For Kant, justice and security within a civilized state are important conceptions—our concern must not end there. In Kant’s political philosophy more than mere survival is at stake— the entire direction of society and humanity is determined. Kant viewed nature as the driving force of humanity, compelling man further toward its intended end. According to Kant this end “can be fulfilled for mankind only in society; and nature intends that man should accomplish this, and indeed all his appointed ends, by his own efforts. This purpose can be fulfilled only in a society which has not only the greatest freedom… but also the most precise specification and preservation of the limits of this freedom in order that it can co-exist with the freedom of others” (Kant 45). For Kant, political institutions exist to ensure the highest possible level of freedom, for only if freedom is assured can collective human enlightenment ever be attained. Kant’s political philosophy is most palatable because it recognizes that humanity must strive for betterment and progress. These concepts, rather foreign to political philosophy prior to Kant’s time, are today the principle aim of civilized society. Kant’s ideas raised the stakes of political philosophy—not only must humanity strive for civilization, but once it is achieved there must be a relentless commitment to progress. In this sense, Kant puts forth not only a prescription for the ideal political process but also advocates the utilization of that process for the ultimate human ends: enlightenment and peace.

The impact of the ideas first put forth by these and other philosophers on today’s political institutions and processes cannot be understated. The merits of the concepts of justice, progress, freedom and civilization itself are today widely-accepted. They represent the foundation of great societies. Toward their achievement society must forever labor. In this effort, political philosophizing must continue. Plato, Hobbes, Kant and others provided compelling arguments and asked all of the right questions—but the answers themselves have by no means been fully ascertained. Indeed, these philosophers demonstrated the remarkable effect of their profession by establishing the basis for civilized society and its most fundamental tenets. This task is incomplete. Today we must move forward and continue building on that foundation—mobilizing our every resource toward society’s perfection. Political philosophy will aid in the achievement of this most essential goal. The goals of justice, freedom, security, equality and the concept of progress are well-established as our objectives—the purpose of political philosophy today must be continued contemplation as to how best to proceed toward their fulfillment. Perpetual philosophy, in the end, leads to ever-increasing human enlightenment. It is, in the last analysis, expanding enlightenment that will lead to the realization of humanity’s oldest aspirations: peace, justice, security, maximum freedom and ever-expanding progress.