Enjoying Political Philosophy
Yes, Reading Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche and Others Can Be Fun!
Plato, Aristotle and other political thinkers might seem a bit musty, 'outdated' or just plain boring. Here are suggestions to help make reading them worthwhile!
Many readers of Plato and Aristotle (among others), and especially college students, might find political philosophy to be an uphill battle especially when reading works that are 'required' readings. However, there is no reason for despair--reading them can be enjoyable and gratifying. And, there is so much to discover and learn!
Here are some tips to make it all worthwhile:
Learn About the Author as a Person
There are many good sources describing each thinker as a person. The author becomes more 'human' and interesting this way.
Create Some Personal Questions You Want Answered
Designing some important personal questions will help the author’s ideas and writings become more meaningful. Should the government be able to regulate books and music that people enjoy? Read John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty and compare with Plato’s Republic. Should the government and society ‘stay out of my life’? Try reading John Locke’s Second Treatise, then compare with Aristotle’s Politics.
Assume The Author Knows More Than You Do
This might be tough to accept at first, as an offense to a reader’s pride. It might be easy for readers (using hindsight) to disdain the thinker who 'obviously' didn’t know what he was doing and believe the world need not read these 'dead white guys' anymore. This is an important mistake on the reader’s part.
These authors have much to offer readers who stop and listen. Champions of democracy simply cannot ignore Plato’s critique of it; believers of ‘progress’ and ‘education’ will do well to take up Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s powerful challenge. Thucydides’ sobering reports of war compel a serious look at the shortcomings of self-government, warfare and glory; Aristotle’s portrayal of virtue and politics challenges people who ‘opt out’ of politics.
After meeting these thinkers on an even playing field, a reader can then begin to assess them on their merits—otherwise, whose fault is it for misunderstanding the author?
Don't Let Them Trick You
Some of these thinkers might appear inconsistent and confusing. Readers of Rousseau might notice his alleged ‘confusion’ about slavery in The Social Contract: near the start of his work he argues that slavery is not natural yet later on he appears to favor slavery! However, the author might well be hiding a deeper truth about politics. Rousseau does this to points to an important theme in politics: the difference between an ‘ideal’ system of government and a feasible one. In order to have fully participating citizens such people need real leisure time and thus slaves might be necessary though perhaps not just.
Also, readers of Machiavelli’s Prince who fail to notice his slippery use of history, fail to understand his work! He plays tricks on readers who don't double-check his historical examples. It is gratifying to discover the deeper meanings of his works.
Begin by assuming there are important and valid reasons for alleged inconsistencies—touching upon different and deeper issues in politics—and ask what’s going on.
Read Slowly and Be Patient
It might be hard to slow down and concentrate on something during today’s fast pace—on freeways, in airports and ‘multitasking’ at work to meet deadlines. Yet, these authors demand sustained reading and an ability to notice the details in order to be understood fully and truly. Nietzsche, for example, wrote in aphorisms partly to throw superficial readers. (A tricky bunch, these philosophers!) Readers who slow down and ponder these works—who ruminate (to use Nietzsche’s word)—will discover a richness not found before.
