Political Questions: Political Philosophy from Plato to Rawls [Paperback]

Larry Arnhart (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0881337285 | ISBN-13: 978-0881337280 | Publication Date: February 1993 | Edition: 2nd

The Second Edition of this volume retains all the outstanding features that made the First Edition so successful while incorporating new material relevant to issues in the political debates of today--subjects such as women's rights, the "end of history" and the future of socialism. The book is organized around a series of enduring and provocative political questions that are designed to illuminate issues in American politics, inducing readers to examine the nature and substance of their own political beliefs. Featured are the works of twelve philosophers ranging in scope from antiquity to the present: Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx and Rawls. Ideas from the natural and social sciences--including sociobiology, game theory, cultural anthropology, and developmental psychology--are introduced and applied to classic philosophical texts. Detailed notes provide references and sources.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Consider these titles of related interest also available from Waveland Press: Abbott, Political Thought in America: Conversations and Debates, Second Edition; Levy, Political Thought in America: An Anthology, Second Edition; Machiavelli (trans. de Alvarez), The Prince; and Riker, Liberalism Against Populism: A Confrontation Between the Theory of Democracy and the Theory of Social Choice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc; 2nd edition (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881337285
• ISBN-13: 978-0881337280
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,695,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction for beginners, September 14, 2009

By 

Kevin Milton "kmilton7" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Political Questions: Political Philosophy from Plato to Rawls (Paperback)

One should understand that a 300+ pages book cannot fully explain the major political questions. However, Mr. Arnhart does a great job in introducing potential political scientist with the wisdom of the most "popular" political philosophers. The main concepts and ideas are thoroughly explained and examined, details are sometimes omitted or slightly touched (which is ok, for it is an introductory text). Mr. Arnhart introduces political ideas of Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine (usually he is not mentioned in introductory texts), St. Thomas Aquinas, Rene Descartes (I think that it is too much, it seemed that the author wanted to be rather novel and at odds with the majority and added Descartes. But the arguments were interesting), Thomas Hobbes, Rousseau, John Locke,Hegel,Marx,Rawl(Nozick is included with Rawl).

I found it useful that author indicated key reading from the original works, so a reader knows what to concentrate on and what to skip. It was pleasant to read this book the author keeps it simple, so is easy to comprehend the information. I recommend this book to a person who wants to know some general concepts in polical philosophy.