Contemplation in Political Philosophy
Author
Alexander, Rachel Katherine
Subject
Washington and Lee University -- Honors in Politics
Political science -- Philosophy
Civilization, Modern -- Philosophy
Contemplation
Metadata
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From yoga and physical fitness to meditation and prayer, from elementary
classrooms to neuroscience, contemplation is everywhere. Is there space for
contemplation in political philosophy? Philosophy connotes logic. 1 Socrates comes to
mind, engaging in rational discourse to reach knowledge, truth, and reality.
Contemplation, silent perception of reality and intuition, may then seem at odds with
political philosophy. But if we visit our ancestors, the great Greek and medieval thinkers,
it becomes clear that rational thought is only half of the process of knowing. They
distinguished two modes of knowledge, the ratio and the intellectus. While the ratio
encompasses the rational, logical, discursive mode of thought, the imellectus
encompasses the contemplative, receptive, non-discursive mode of thought. So
philosophy, almost habitually reduced to logic and ratiocination, includes intellectus if it
is to properly seek knowledge and truth. This was true of the founders of political
philosophy even if no longer true for us. Contemplation and political philosophy belong
together; we cannot have one without the other if we are to fully engage and appreciate
the mind.