Modern political philosophy is often defined by the tension between abstract ideals and empirical reality. While contemporary theory frequently treats justice as a purely moral deduction, John Rawls sought to ground his framework in the “practically possible.” However, as the influence of historical methods declined in favor of analytical models during the twentieth century, the relationship between historical evidence and political theory became increasingly fraught.

In this seminar, Richard Bourke explores the interplay between normativity and history. The discussion examines how various disciplines have navigated the shift from historical procedures toward formal modelling, and how Rawls specifically attempted to revive a moral theory of institutions without succumbing to ”utopianism.” Central to this inquiry is the role of “practical faith”: the belief that a just social order is not merely a dream, but an empirical possibility supported by the “movement of thought” in history.

By revisiting these selective narratives, the discussion invites a deeper reflection on the relevance of historical concerns to political philosophy today. The seminar will provide a forum for discussing the methodological tensions between historical inquiry and contemporary political theory, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with these foundational questions.

 

Guest speaker: Richard Bourke is Professor of the History of Political Thought in the Faculty of History at the University of Cambridge. He specialises in the history of political ideas, with a particular focus on the development of modern political concepts and their historical foundations. He serves as Co-Director of the History in the Humanities and Social Sciences Network and was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2018.

 

 

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MCC students can earn credit for actively participating in the event, provided they read the required chapters and paper(s) and prepare three questions for the Q&A session of the research seminar.

Questions related to the required reading must be submitted to Kálmán Pócza at pocza.kalman@mcc.hu by 11:00 PM on 29 September 2026

Required Reading: Please contact Kálmán Pócza to obtain the electronic version of the paper.

Submission Deadline: 29 September 2026, 11:00 PM

 

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