The Criticism of Concepts and the Concept of Criticism: A Rejoinder

In: Canadian journal of political science: CJPS = Revue canadienne de science politique, Band 5, Heft 2, S. 301-303

Abstract

Apart from the rather engaging phrasing of its title, Macpherson's reply to my criticisms of him must be judged a disappointment. For it either misses or entirely avoids their point.I must remind Macpherson that it is he, not I, who conceives the task of political theory as one which deduces political obligation from the nature of man, or derives obligation from fact. Consequently, it is incumbent upon him to show how this is to be done. He now claims that it can be done and that it is not necessary to do it. In the former case it is a problem requiring resolution; in the latter a pseudo-problem which can be ignored.