Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy

Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy PDF Author: Iain MacKenzie
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1441136088
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 183

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Book Description
The extent and nature of rights; the sources of state power; the promises and pitfalls of democracy; how to achieve a just distribution of social goods; the claims of culture and gender on our identity: these are just some of the issues to have been addressed by political philosophers throughout history. Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy offers a thorough and stimulating account of political philosophy. The text is structured thematically in order to convey the vibrancy of debates within the discipline. Through these debates the text addresses the ideas of major thinkers - including Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Foucault, Rawls, Kymlicka, Okin and Butler - and it begins and ends with discussions about the nature of political philosophy itself. This is an invaluable aid to study, one that goes beyond simple definitions and summaries; readers new to this discipline will encounter a lively text full of clear signposts for the journey into political philosophy.

Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy

Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy PDF Author: Iain MacKenzie
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1441136088
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 183

Get Book Here

Book Description
The extent and nature of rights; the sources of state power; the promises and pitfalls of democracy; how to achieve a just distribution of social goods; the claims of culture and gender on our identity: these are just some of the issues to have been addressed by political philosophers throughout history. Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy offers a thorough and stimulating account of political philosophy. The text is structured thematically in order to convey the vibrancy of debates within the discipline. Through these debates the text addresses the ideas of major thinkers - including Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Foucault, Rawls, Kymlicka, Okin and Butler - and it begins and ends with discussions about the nature of political philosophy itself. This is an invaluable aid to study, one that goes beyond simple definitions and summaries; readers new to this discipline will encounter a lively text full of clear signposts for the journey into political philosophy.

Authority

Authority PDF Author: Fabian Wendt
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1509517014
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
From citizens paying taxes to employees following their bosses' orders and kids obeying their parents, we take it for granted that a whole range of authorities have the power to impose duties on others. However, although authority is often accepted in practice, it looks philosophically problematic if we conceive persons as free and equals. In this short and accessible book, Fabian Wendt examines the basis of authority, discussing five prominent theories that try to explain how claims to authority can be vindicated. Focusing in particular on the issue of how states can rightfully claim authority, he rigorously analyses the theories’ arguments and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. He also debates anarchism as an alternative that should be taken seriously if no theory ultimately succeeds in explaining state authority. This clear and engaging book will be essential reading for anyone grappling with the most fundamental questions of authority and obligation in political theory and political philosophy.

Conceptualizing Politics

Conceptualizing Politics PDF Author: Furio Cerutti
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317037502
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
Politics is hugely complex. Some try to reduce its complexity by examining it through an ideological worldview, a one-size-fits-all prescriptive formula or a quantitative examination of as many 'facts' as possible. Yet politics cannot be adequately handled as if it were made of cells and particles: ideological views are oversimplifying and sometimes dangerous. Politics is not simply a moral matter, nor political philosophy a subdivision of moral philosophy. This book is devised as a basic conceptual lexicon for all those who want to understand what politics is, how it works and how it changes or fails to change. Key concepts such as power, conflict, legitimacy and order are clearly defined and their interplay in the state, interstate and global level explored. Principles such as liberty, equality, justice and solidarity are discussed in the context of the political choices confronting us. This compact and systematic introduction to the categories needed to grasp the fundamentals of politics will appeal to readers who want to gain a firmer grasp on the workings of politics, as well as to scholars and students of philosophy, political science and history.

The Knowledge Book

The Knowledge Book PDF Author: Steve Fuller
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317493273
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 259

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Book Description
"The Knowledge Book" is a unique interdisciplinary reference work for students and researchers concerned with the nature of knowledge. It is the first work of its kind to be organized on the assumption that whatever else knowledge might be, it is intrinsically social. The book consists of 42 alphabetically arranged entries on key concepts at the intersection of philosophy and sociology - what used to be called "sociology of knowledge" but is now increasingly called "social epistemology". The entries include concepts common to disciplines that in recent years have devoted more of their attention to knowledge: cultural studies, communication studies, information science, education, policy studies and business studies. Special attention is given to concepts from the emerging field of science and technology studies. Each entry presents a short, self-contained essay providing an overview of a concept and concludes with suggestions for further reading. All the entries are fully cross-referenced, allowing readers to both make connections and follow their own interests.

Key Concepts in the Philosophy of Social Research

Key Concepts in the Philosophy of Social Research PDF Author: Malcolm Williams
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1473986826
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
"This is a splendid book, providing a readable and reliable guide to a very large range of topics and literature... the author brings together, as few of us can, the details of research methodology and practice with broader philosophical perspectives and approaches." - William Outhwaite, Emeritus Professor, Newcastle University "We need researchers who are philosophically informed rather than philosophically obsessed or philosophically oppressed. With this book Malcolm Williams strikes the exact balance." - Ray Pawson, Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds This book is an ideal introduction for any student or social researcher hoping to better understand the philosophical issues that inform social research. Williams is the perfect guide providing short focused introductions to key concepts alongside a persuasive and engaging overview of how we interpret and conduct research. The book covers everything from core research methods, to ethical concerns and an exploration of the metaphysics of social life, with each entry providing: Clear definitions Engaging real world examples Up-do-date suggestions for further reading Informative cross-referencing Lists of key thinkers. Relevant and authoritative, this book is an indispensable introduction to the philosophy of social research.

Law: Key Concepts in Philosophy

Law: Key Concepts in Philosophy PDF Author: David Ingram
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 0826478220
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
An introductory guide to the philosophy of law, part of Continuum's series of modular texts, offering complete coverage of the undergraduate philosophy curriculum

Moral and Political Philosophy

Moral and Political Philosophy PDF Author: Paul Smith
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230593941
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 263

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Book Description
A clear and concise introduction to moral and political philosophy which critically analyses arguments about controversial and topical practical issues – drug laws, justifications of punishment, civil disobedience, whether there is a duty to obey the law, and global poverty.

Jurgen Habermas

Jurgen Habermas PDF Author: Barbara Fultner
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317492021
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 279

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Book Description
A rare systematic thinker, Habermas has furthered our understanding of modernity, social interaction and linguistic practice, societal institutions, rationality, morality, the law, globalization, and the role of religion in multicultural societies. He has helped shape discussions of truth, objectivity, normativity, and the relationship between the human and the natural sciences. This volume provides an accessible and comprehensive conceptual map of Habermas' theoretical framework and its key concepts, including the theory of communicative action, discourse ethics, his social-political philosophy and their applications to contemporary issues. It will be an invaluable resource for both novice readers of Habermas and those interested in a more refined understanding of particular aspects of his work.

Michel Foucault

Michel Foucault PDF Author: Dianna Taylor
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317492056
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
Michel Foucault was one of the twentieth century's most influential and provocative thinkers. His work on freedom, subjectivity, and power is now central to thinking across an extraordinarily wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, history, education, psychology, politics, anthropology, sociology, and criminology. "Michel Foucault: Key Concepts" explores Foucault's central ideas, such as disciplinary power, biopower, bodies, spirituality, and practices of the self. Each essay focuses on a specific concept, analyzing its meaning and uses across Foucault's work, highlighting its connection to other concepts, and emphasizing its potential applications. Together, the chapters provide the main co-ordinates to map Foucault's work. But more than a guide to the work, "Michel Foucault: Key Concepts" introduces readers to Foucault's thinking, equipping them with a set of tools that can facilitate and enhance further study.

Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction

Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction PDF Author: David Miller
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191577863
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
This book introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy. It starts by explaining why the subject is important and how it tackles basic ethical questions such as 'how should we live together in society?' It looks at political authority, the reasons why we need politics at all, the limitations of politics, and whether there are areas of life that shouldn't be governed by politics. It explores the connections between political authority and justice, a constant theme in political philosophy, and the ways in which social justice can be used to regulate rather than destroy a market economy. David Miller discusses why nations are the natural units of government and whether the rise of multiculturalism and transnational co-operation will change this: will we ever see the formation of a world government? ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.