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When, if ever, should philosophy get mixed into politics?
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November 12, 2009

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Eric Silverman
November 12, 2009 (changed November 12, 2009) Permalink

I'm afraid that philosophy and politics are deeply mixed whether we like it or not. Consider a question like 'what rights do/should people have?' This is deeply philosophical question and what answer you give will be very influenced by your philosophical views. Other important philosophical questions include: what is the purpose of government? what is the purpose of laws? what is justice? Every government is rooted in some sort of philosophy whether we like it or not.

Perhaps, you meant to ask a different question like 'what role should philosophers have in society?'.... I've always liked Plato's answer to that question, philosophers should be kings! ;-)

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