What is Political Philosophy? A Study of the Concept and its Limits in Charles Larmore’s Thought

The return of "political philosophy" to contemporary philosophy has spurred a wide discussion about its definition, limitations, and values. Several philosophers have presented different approaches to the matter, such as the American philosopher Charles Larmore, whose writings on the subject are to be discussed in this paper. His book, What Is Political Philosophy? (2020), discusses the difference between political philosophy and the philosophy of morals. In addition, the book founded a realistic conception of political liberalism as a neutral legal system, which is based on the principle of minimal morality. These principles were set in order to overcome the conflict between the individual liberalism and communitarianism.

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The return of "political philosophy" to contemporary philosophy has spurred a wide discussion about its definition, limitations, and values. Several philosophers have presented different approaches to the matter, such as the American philosopher Charles Larmore, whose writings on the subject are to be discussed in this paper. His book, What Is Political Philosophy? (2020), discusses the difference between political philosophy and the philosophy of morals. In addition, the book founded a realistic conception of political liberalism as a neutral legal system, which is based on the principle of minimal morality. These principles were set in order to overcome the conflict between the individual liberalism and communitarianism.

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