Realism and Virtues in Ottoman Political Thought [2]

Abstract

This article argues for the existence of a virtue based weak version of political realism in Ottoman political thought (OPT). It shows that without recognizing realist elements in human nature and politics in OPT tradition, we cannot grasp the place of morality in politics. Contrary to the common sense understanding of morality that covers all areas of politics, the paper brings evidence to illustrate how the nature of politics was understood as ever-changing, singular and to some extent free of morality in OPT. In connection to it, human nature was understood as weak and volatile, and it is this framing of politics and human nature as such that made the OPT tradition a realist one. Finally, I refer to the role of universals in explaining the complicated relationship between politics and morality through which various analytical distinctions are introduced.