The problem of the sense of politics is a philosophical problem. All philosophical problems are always urgent, as they are hard to solve. In spite of that, it’s always possible to make an attempt.
This work is an attempt to comprehend internal forces, which drive politics, filling it with sense. It’s impossible for politics not to have the point. According to Dante, everything getting objective reality intends some action. Actions in politics are aims and objectives.
To define actions in politics we decided to turn to the help of great thinkers, such as Plato, Dante Alighieri, Jean Jacques Roussea, Friedrich Nietzsche.
We are going to proceed from the assumption that no thought is false. Any idea from its origin goes through a number of conditions, which can’t be false per se. If we begin to deny the idea, we inevitable come to deny the above conditions under which the thought emerged. Consequently, in the research we intend to start from the principle of the relative truth in each philosophical idea, as the idea can be applied to a particular sphere of existence.
If each philosophical idea is valid in application to a definite aspect of the world, then they may be united, drawing up a new concept of the world. As we advocate an integral view on existence, the method of research is synthesis, from which a new understanding of politics is born.
One of the basic notions in the research is the notion of a philosopher’s idea. Under idea in this research we understand the discovery of new senses or new understanding of things. In this text the synonym of the idea is the thought.
The notion of politics and related to it notions will be defined in the process of investigation. At the end of the research it will be given the synthetic definition of politics.
The sequence of chapters reflects the additional to synthesis method of research. This is a dialectical method. It means the step-by-step development of our understanding of politics. We will draw up our interpretations of philosophical works in such consistency that one idea of one philosopher causes another idea of the other philosopher.
So we consider the works of philosophers in the following order: “The Will to Power”, Friedrich Nietzsche; “The Republic”, Plato; “The social contract or principles of political right”, Jean Jacques Rousseau; “The Monarchy”, Dante Alighieri.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Nietzsche’s philosophy of politics
2.1 Conclusion
3. Plato’s philosophy of politics
3.1 Conclusion
4. Rousseau’s philosophy of politics
4.1 Conclusion
5. Dante’s philosophy of politics
6. The final conclusion
6.1 The synthetic definition of politics
Research Objectives and Themes
This work aims to comprehend the internal forces that drive politics and provide a synthetic definition by analyzing the philosophical perspectives of great thinkers to uncover the true nature and objective of political action.
- The role of the "will to power" in individual and political development.
- The intersection of morality, religion, and the state in political philosophy.
- The necessity of reason and wisdom in the governance of society.
- The concept of the social contract as a foundation for collective freedom and order.
- The synthesis of diverse philosophical ideas to achieve an integral view of political existence.
Excerpt from the Book
Nietzsche’s philosophy of politics
To begin research it’s necessary to liberate out thinking. We should renounce from politics and take the side of an alien observer. The nihilistic philosophy of Nietzsche helps us to conduct such experiment.
Nietzsche puts the questions: morality, religion, philosophy – how much these spheres of human existence are connected with vital reality? Whether there was alienation of these forms of human activity from natural laws of life? (“Nature has been ill-judged to the extent to which one has brought into honor the antinaturalness of a God”. “The vestiges of debasement of nature through moral transcendence”.) Answering those questions, Nietzsche revised all human values.
Nietzsche does not write about politics directly. That’s why nothing remains, as to deduce his ideas and to apply them to politics. All of his radical ideas are directed by stream of natural harmony, so due to this turn to the new objective reality we can deduce a new turn in politics.
So, what is a new understanding of politics? First, it is politics emancipated from adhesive and limiting forms, such as morality and religion. Secondly, this is pure politics, but is enriched with all natural colors. Thirdly, a new view at individual and his significance is opened in this natural world of politics. The last position is most important. A turn in understanding of politics originates exactly from cardinal revaluation of human essence. The main point here is that Nietzsche closely connects the essence of a person and of politics. Instinctive human life itself sets an orientation to the vector of politics.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author establishes the problem of the sense of politics as a philosophical inquiry and introduces the synthetic research method used to analyze diverse thinkers.
2. Nietzsche’s philosophy of politics: This chapter explores how the "will to power" and the rejection of traditional moral structures lead to a new understanding of political self-perfection.
2.1 Conclusion: Summarizes that politics is an eternal process of rises and falls driven by the individual will to power rather than linear progress.
3. Plato’s philosophy of politics: Examines the role of the philosopher-king and the use of reason to bridge the gap between the physical world and ideal truth.
3.1 Conclusion: Defines politics as the organization of society where governors utilize their wisdom to lead souls toward their ultimate ends.
4. Rousseau’s philosophy of politics: Discusses the creation of a social contract that balances collective security with individual freedom through the general will.
4.1 Conclusion: Argues that political unity and justice are found in the "gold mean" expressed through laws that reflect the general will.
5. Dante’s philosophy of politics: Focuses on the role of a monarch with high intellect in synthesizing human wills to ensure peace and prosperity.
6. The final conclusion: Synthesizes the previous theories into a definition of politics as an eternal process centered on the will to power and the necessity of unity.
6.1 The synthetic definition of politics: Concludes that a prosperous state requires the protection of the general will and a unified political organism.
Keywords
Politics, Philosophy, Will to Power, Nietzsche, Plato, Rousseau, Dante, Social Contract, General Will, Synthesis, State, Freedom, Reason, Monarch, Justice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental nature of this research?
The work investigates the philosophical roots of politics, aiming to uncover the driving forces behind political action through the synthesis of classical and modern thinkers.
Which key philosophers are analyzed in this study?
The study primarily focuses on the political thoughts of Friedrich Nietzsche, Plato, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Dante Alighieri.
What is the central research question?
The research asks what constitutes the "sense" or purpose of politics and how various philosophical interpretations can be synthesized to define it.
What methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a dialectical synthesis method, interpreting philosophical works in a sequence where the ideas of one thinker inform and cause the perspectives of the next.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The body analyzes how each philosopher contributes to an understanding of politics: Nietzsche’s will to power, Plato’s rule of reason, Rousseau’s general will, and Dante’s need for a unifying monarch.
Which keywords best describe the work?
The work is defined by terms such as the "will to power," "general will," "synthesis," "political organism," and "philosophical perfection."
How does the author interpret Nietzsche’s view on politics?
The author views Nietzsche’s approach as "political perfectionism," where politics is a process of constant self-improvement through self-overcoming.
What is the role of the state in Rousseau's philosophy according to this text?
The state serves as the body that provides the supreme law, enabling citizens to align their individual freedom with the general will for the common good.
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- Alena Apaeva (Autor:in), 2008, The sense of politics according to the philosophies of Nietzsche, Plato, Rousseau and Dante, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/289228
