عنوان

Rationality and morality in political theory :

TLets602972

Rationality and morality in political theory :

[Thesis]

Abin, Esther

a paradigm shift

Keele University

2010

Ph.D.

Keele University

2010

The thesis examines the relationship between the representation of temporality andcontingency in political theory and the theorisation of rational and moral norms. Inparticular, it looks at the supposed opposition between political realism and politicalmoralism; and argues that this dichotomy presents a false picture. Further, the thesis arguesthat the relevance of political theory to politics cannot be restricted to an account ofpolitical realism. It argues that realism provides a parochial and restrictive conception ofthe practice of reasoning in politics and a partisan account of political theory. Politicalrealism seeks to divorce political theory from ethical and rational norms but in doing so itrelies upon contentious views of political norms and the way they should be theorised.Ultimately the thesis overturns the paradigmatic opposition between moralism and realismand looks more closely at the relationship between temporality, contingency and theyielding of rational and moral political norms. The thesis draws on the political philosophyof Michael Oakeshott, Stuart Hampshire and Bernard Williams and examines the way inwhich their accounts of political norms incorporate due awareness of temporality andcontingency.

Abin, Esther

Keele University

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y