It was Aristotle, of course, who called man a political animal. It's in our nature to be political and politics - basically, using reason to work out what you think is best for yourself and for society - is what makes us different from animals. Bees, for example, are organized and social but they don't have politics.
Politics, as in elections and candidates and parties, is fascinating and very important, but I'm most interested in the ideas behind politics. I make no claim on impartiality; quite the opposite - I want to try to convince people that my ideas are correct. So this blog is going to be about the long lost discipline of Political Philosophy - as in Socrates, et al. Ahem.
Disclaimer: I know I'm not a real philosopher and that I'm incapable of being serious for a long period of time. I majored in Philosophy for one semester and then quit because it wasn't at all like I imagined, i.e. sitting around and telling people my opinion about things. But I'm fascinated with how politics shows up in everything I enjoy but thought had nothing to do with politics - news, music, movies, TV sitcoms and reality shows, even food and sports. I'm fascinated (sometimes appalled) with how people make the journey from personal philosophy to political conviction and, sometimes, vice versa.
I hope someone finds it interesting and wants to comment. Besides, my wife is tired of me pretending to be an opinion journalist with her as my only subscriber.
2 comments:
Yea! Finally this blog has come to fruition! Hopefully I won't be your only subscriber!
I can't wait for your next post. I check every day!!
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