Philosophical Approach To The Study Of Politics

Philosophical approach is another traditional approach in Political Science. It was applied by Plato and Aristotle in the ancient times, by al- Farabi, Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushed in the middle Ages and by Kant, Hegel, Green, Bosanquet and Allama Iqbal in the modem dmes. Political Philosophers concentrate on the ideas, values and doctrines about politics and discuss the good life and the best or ideal State to achieve. As such, philosophical approach is a normative approach in Political Science.

The theories and doctrines of the great philosophers are of immense importance for all times. In present times, however, the philosophical or normative approach has been seriously questioned. It is considered to be insufficient by the political scientists of the behavioural and post-behavioural schools. For it makes Political Science unscientific and unsound.