A Philosopher Reigneth Not

Abstract

Editors’ Abstract In this article, Chen addresses the political relevance of political philosophy, cautioning against direct application of philosophy in real politics. Rather than bring about good politics, a philosopher-king leads to terrible cultural life, for in such a political setting philosophy cannot but turn into ideology. A better way to understand such relevance is to think from the middle ground. The prosperity of cultural life is where the work of the politician and the work of the philosopher overlap and where philosophy can be realistically expected to contribute.