Walzer Defines Political Views

Arguments made by political philosophers begin in the political arena rather than in the university classroom, Michael Walzer, professor of Government, told an audience of about 50 people last night at the Cambridge Forum at the First Parish in Cambridge.

Political philosophers drifted into the university only because alternate patronage systems collapsed, and "philosophers couldn't think of any other way to earn a living," Walzer said.

The personal politics of political philosophers are thus closely related to their professional work, Walzer said.

"That's the great advantage of being a political philosopher," he said. "I sometimes wonder how it came to be that I get paid for it."