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Idiots burn books for the same reason philosophers write them - they matter. But why exactly do political philosophy books matter, not to mention the hundreds of articles published every year? In part because they are interesting, but also because they are influential. They are mind-altering and, in turn, world-altering. Political philosophers write their books for the same reason political revolutionaries read them - they change the world.
In this short and original book, Jonathan Floyd explains three things: what political philosophy is, how you can do it, and why you might want to. Accessibly written for those coming to the subject for the first time, it is also a must-read for scholars whose research takes in the nature, methods, and purposes of their field. It is also a must-burn for anyone who dreams of a dumber, thicker, less enlightened world.
List of contents
* Contents
* Acknowledgements
* Foreword
* 0.0 Introduction
* 1.0 What?
* 2.0 How?
* 3.0 Why?
* Notes
About the author
Jonathan Floyd is Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Bristol.
Summary
Idiots burn books for the same reason philosophers write them - they matter. But why exactly do political philosophy books matter, not to mention the hundreds of articles published every year? In part because they are interesting, but also because they are influential. They are mind-altering and, in turn, world-altering. Political philosophers write their books for the same reason political revolutionaries read them - they change the world.
In this short and original book, Jonathan Floyd explains three things: what political philosophy is, how you can do it, and why you might want to. Accessibly written for those coming to the subject for the first time, it is also a must-read for scholars whose research takes in the nature, methods, and purposes of their field. It is also a must-burn for anyone who dreams of a dumber, thicker, less enlightened world.
Report
'Although politics and politicians have dismal reputations, we need to take political philosophy seriously. Jonathan Floyd does so by addressing the overarching question "How ought we to live?" in a conversational tone and by engaging with serious political thinkers, past and present.'
Onora O'Neill, University of Cambridge
'This book makes a passionate and compelling case for the importance of political philosophy. Floyd tells us not only what it is to do political philosophy but why we ought to want to do it in the first place.'
Matt Sleat, University of Sheffield
