Scientific attitude in political inquiry: A philosophical appraisal

Abstract

Political inquiry, which-may also be called “The Philosophy of Political Science” deals with the fundamental issues of the discipline of philosophy. In modem times, the analyst is said to belong  to either the traditional group, or the behavioural group, both of which represent the main lines of orientation of research in the discipline of philosophy. Because of the successes of the scientific attitude, it became an epistemological culture aiming to solve the problem of social and human studies. Although unarguably, the scientific orientation is beneficial in serving as a framework of action besides developing theories and laws of social and human research, its linear and selective attitude makes it less of a technique for research. This is because scientific culture aiming at uniformity and generalisation tends to isolate or disregard what is not common among species or issues. In human and societal research this unique aspects are actually the core item of interest, most especially with “man” who has consciousness and as the existentialists would say is an inexhaustible reservoir of possibilities and potentialities.

Consequently, a qualitative appraisal of the scientific attitude in political inquiry makes a case for the culture bound of research besides the need of situating research under ethical foundation. This would eventually stimulate positive and healthy researches borne under peace studies for ultimately what “man” aims for are peace, happiness and development. There is also an imperative need for integration of methodological individualism (a derivative of scientific attitude) and the methodological holism (a derivation of the artistic attitude) and for this to be successful has to rest on philosophical ontology and ethics.