(Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy...

(Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2ooo:691) According to Plato, realty was in an-other world. Aristotle fell in the trap of form and matter. In respect of human being he viewed that human being is a social animal. Medieval Christianity promoted to monasticism. To establish a discipline and order in all spheres of life institutionalization is necessary while monasticism is the negation of all social activities.

In this situation gradually new political philosophies emerged.Dictionary of philosophy summed up this discussion as • Aristotle held human being a social animal. This view played a fundamental role in the determination of the role of human being in this universe and his/her relationship with God, other beings and universe. • A conflict emerged between state and church. Church declared to earthly state as satanic.

In the result of this conflict new approaches established in respect of the nature of state. • Thomas Aquinas observed that the source of power was people and they had the right to determine, manage, govern, and control it. This approach continued to flourish further. • A new era of political philosophy started after renaissance. • Machiavelli and Bodin emphasized on the sovereignty and solidarity of state and on the rights of people.

●Hobbes, Lock,and Rousseau introduced the theory of social contract. It circumscribed to unlimited imperial power and promoted to democratic trends. • Meanwhile an idea of natural law emerged in opposition to Divine law. • Hegel declared to stateas an ultimate end while Marx and Engels held that ultimate object of state was to establish a classless society. At the achievement of this goal there will be no need of state. At this stage they considered state useless and predicted the end of state.

●In nineteenth century, political philosophers held to state the source of all power and gave it all authority and complete sovereignty. (Qadir C.A, 1994:343) So, in the perspective of above said discussion we may say that in respect of human being, his/her attitude, life style, social and cultural behavior, ideologically and practically two approaches are in practice i.e.

●Interpretation of life and universe on Divine basis • Understanding of life and universe on Greek cum modern interpretations Existing political cum economic systems i.e. Western democratic systems, Socialism, and Communism, have been derived from Greek to some extent.

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