 Philosophy and Real Politics
Raymond Geuss
Narrated by John Lescault
Available from Audible
audio sample
This file is 3.1 MB.
Book published by Princeton University Press
Many contemporary political thinkers are gripped by the belief that their task is to develop an ideal theory of rights or justice for guiding and judging political actions. But in Philosophy and Real Politics, Raymond Geuss argues that philosophers should first try to understand why real political actors behave as they actually do. Far from being applied ethics, politics is a skill that allows people to survive and pursue their goals. To understand politics is to understand the powers, motives, and concepts that people have and that shape how they deal with the problems they face in their particular historical situations.
Philosophy and Real Politics both outlines a historically oriented, realistic political philosophy and criticizes liberal political philosophies based on abstract conceptions of rights and justice. The book is a trenchant critique of established ways of thought and a provocative call for change.
Raymond Geuss teaches philosophy at the University of Cambridge. His books include Outside Ethics (Princeton), Public Goods, Private Goods (Princeton), and The Idea of a Critical Theory
John Lescault (narrator) has narrated more than a hundred audiobooks for The Library of Congress and major companies. He is the winner of multiple Earphones Awards (AudioFile).
REVIEWS:
“A discipline-altering book.”
—Glen Newey, London Review of Books “[Geuss's] intention in Philosophy and Real Politics, his short, sharp new book, is ... to introduce a note of realism into contemporary philosophical debates about justice, by force if necessary.”
—Adam Kirsch, City Journal “A manifesto for a new political philosophy.... Geuss's realist proposal brings forcefully to the contemporary political discussion the idea that philosophy is an engaged discipline, both in the sense of engagee, of directly speaking to the political issues of the day, and in the sense of having its own historical cultural commitments firmly in view.”
—Katerina Deligiorgi, The Philosopher's Magazine “Philosophy and Real Politics is an impressive and provocative essay on contemporary Anglo-American political philosophy theory.”
—Christoph Konrath, Law and Politics Book Review “In this new study, Raymond Geuss mobilizes the strength of analytical philosophy to subvert the theoretical premises of contemporary political philosophy. He replaces its fixation on ideal norms and its abstraction from real confrontations with an orientation toward contexts of action and a rigorous concentration on the importance of political power. It is fascinating to see the result: a political philosophy that is once again a kind of intellectual craft, historically situated and locally engaged.”
—Axel Honneth, J. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt “Raymond Geuss is the most sophisticated and subtle philosopher who takes seriously the tradition of critical theory. His critique of formal political philosophy—including in neo-Kantian philosophy like that of the late John Rawls—that shuns the crucial roles of power, historical context, and political action is powerful and persuasive. This grand text is an intellectual breath of fresh air.”
—Cornel West, Princeton University “Raymond Geuss's short, brilliant, and provocative book forces on political philosophers questions that we often prefer not to raise, let alone answer. Geuss takes seriously the disturbingly untidy character of many political transactions and the dangers of idealized abstractions. His ruthlessness toward Nozick and Rawls is in striking contrast to the attitudes of most of their critics. And Geuss lives dangerously, prescribing remedies drawn from Lenin, Nietzsche, and Weber that may have unpredictable side effects.”
—Alasdair MacIntyre, University of Notre Dame “This is a small gem of a book. With his other recent work, it establishes Geuss as a unique voice in political theory. Not everyone will find his arguments persuasive, and some will doubtless take offense, but there is something interesting, perceptive, and thought provoking on every page. It will stir debate.”
—Glyn Morgan, Harvard University “There is much to learn from and disagree with here. This book is vigorous in its arguments, displays an impressive historical sweep, and on several occasions gets in the perfect skewering criticism.”
—Leif Wenar, University of Sheffield TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Preface
Introduction
Part I: Realism
Who Whom?
Priorities, Preferences, Timing
Legitimacy
Tasks of Political Theory
Understanding, Evaluation, Orientation
Conceptual Innovation
Ideology
Part II: Failures of Realism
Rights
Justice
Equality
Fairness, Ignorance, Impartiality
Power
Conclusion
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