189 



V ' INTRODUCTION. 



§ 1. The Theory of the State Defined and its Scope Determined. 



The theory of the State, in the proper aad most comprehensive sense of 

 the term, would seem to involve the consideration of all matters affecting 

 the political and social life of man, and, to speak accurately, should, there- 

 fore, be regarded as coextensive with the whole of political science. It 

 will, however, be more convenient in the present state of philosophy, to 

 regard it as confined to the consideration of certain political problems, 

 that are broadly distinguished from the rest of political science by their 

 fundamental character, and by the fact that they stand, as it were, at the 

 threshold of the subject and imperatively demand solution as a condition 

 even of entrance into it. 



These are to determine, (1) the nature of the State, (2) its functions, 

 (3) its rights, or rightful powers, and (4) the principles that should gov- 

 ern its political organization. 



In addition to these subjects — which the German publicists include 

 under the head of Public Riglit (Staatsrecht, Jus Ftihlicum), regarding it 

 as a department of Jurisprudence or Natural Right — they include in the 

 theory of the State another subject, which they call PoUtilc (politique). 

 This term is the equivalent of the English word Politics : but, as with us, 

 the term is used, after Aristotle, to denote the whole of political science, 

 it will be better to translate the German word by the term Policy. The 

 nature of this si;bject, and its relation to the theory of the State, will be 

 understood by reference to the passages cited in the note (a) *. 



In the following exposition of the theory of the State, it will be found 

 most convenient, in general, to consider the historical aspect of the subject 

 in connection with the several topics as they arise, or, in the sequel, after 

 the exposition of the theory has been completed. But, in exception 

 to this general course, it will be found convenient and even necessary to 

 consider in advance, by way of introduction, certain theories, now gen- 

 erally prevailing, by which our investigations may otherwise be embar- 

 rassed. 



§ 2. 0/" Certain Carrent Political Theories. 



There are certain traits common to modern political writers — and from 

 which hardly any are exempt — that have profoundly, and, I think, dele- 

 teriously, influenced political theory. These are Has, or prejudice, and 

 illogicalness, or disregard of logic — two infirmities very closely united. 

 For — as observed by logicians — if the mind be wholly unbiased, it spon- 

 taneously observes the true method of reasoning. But where bias or 

 prejudice intervenes, there is no fallacy so absurd that it may not entrap 



* All notes indicated by letters will be found at the end of Introduction. Those occur- 

 riDg in a Chapter at the end of the Chapter. 



PROC. AMER. PHILOS. SOC. XXXIV. 148. Y. PRINTED AUG. 7, 1895. 



