Analysis Of Political Philosophy By Stephen Nathanson

INTRODUCTION

The book aims at introducing political philosophy. To achieve this the author Stephen Nathanson has focused on a particular issue that is relevant to everyone. He discusses the problem of developing a personal outlook toward government and political life. Instead of attempting to survey the entire field of political philosophy, or discussing in brief a large number of classical or contemporary authors, the writer focuses on one question, what’s our thought or feeling about government institutions?

To try come up with an answer to these questions; he brings into consideration four political outlooks. The various ontologies and epistemologies looked at by the author are:

1. Super patriotism

2. Political cynicism

3. Anarchism

4. Critical citizenship.

He also examines a few of important views by thinkers including Socrates, Thomas Hobbes, V.I Lenin and Martin Luther.

CENTRAL THESIS

Stephen Nathanson looks at the relationship between each of as individuals and that of the political systems under which we reside. (pg. 9). I would consider that the central thesis of the book. The book adequately interrogates the ontological and

He then goes on in an attempt to answer these questions, look at what the nature of government is, what demands can a particular government legitimately make of its citizens, and what duties do individuals/ citizens of that particular government have to support that governments policies and obey the laws that they create.

What should an individual/citizens attitude be toward governments? In order to answer this this question we need to look at two things. Look at the general standards for judging governments, and what’s the nature of the particular government under which we live. He then goes on to raise two concerns to articulate these concerns.

1. Whether governments are