History and Philosophy in the Interpretation of Political Theories

Abstract

This work belongs to the discussion between historians and science philosophers on methodological matters in the study of the nature and development of scientific theories. Notably, this paper seeks to state some fundamental steps towards the interpretation and reconstruction of political theories. In order to achieve this, Leo Strauss’s philosophical view, as well as Quentin Skinner’s historical approach, are critically examined, pointing out their most significant progresses as well as their main problems and weaknesses. On the grounds of this critical analysis, the need to seriously consider the history and philosophy of political theory as being mutually complementary is stated. Within this comprehensive approach, this paper considers the proposal of Alasdair MacIntyre which seeks to recover, through the concept of “research tradition”', significant philosophical and historical studies within political theory. Notwithstanding, MacIntyre, Strauss and Skinner do not take contemporary hermeneutic theories seriously when they formulate their interpretative perspectives. Beginning with contemporary hermeneutic philosophers (Gadamer, Ricoeur), the most significant contributions by Strauss, Skinner and MacIntyre are looked at in order to develop a historical and philosophical approach to study change and evolution in political theories.
[Traducción: Gabriela Montes de Oca V.]