The Neutrality in Political Science

Paper Summary:

The paper reveals that there is an ongoing debate as to the status of political philosophy and its relationship to political science. The paper examines Charles Taylor's attempt to demonstrate a convergence between science and normative theory in the field of politics. Additionally, the paper explains how Charles Taylor provides a thorough and persuasive argument against those who believe that political science should be separated from the field of political philosophy.

From the Paper:

"There exists an ongoing debate as to the status of political philosophy and its relation with political science. One group of scholars holds that political philosophy is dead, being replaced by the growth of science and the end of ideology, and that political science has come of age in freeing itself finally of the incubus of political philosophy and its prejudiced moral positions by adopting the scientific method and becoming value-free. (Charles Taylor, Neutrality in Political Science, 58). Others however doubt the thesis of the logical separation between facts and values, and claim that political science cannot be separated from political philosophy. Charles Taylor, in his chapter "Neutrality in Political Science," takes the latter of these positions, and attempts to show a convergence between science and normative theory in the field of politics (61)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Taylor, Charles, "Neutrality in Political Science," in Philosophy, Politics and Society, Third Series, P. Laslett & W.G. Runciman, eds., (Blackwell, 1967), pp. 25-57

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