ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book suggests that Rawls's realistic utopianism is apt to appropriately meet neither the theoretical aspirations of political philosophy nor its practical commitments. It offers an overview about realism and utopianism and they compare both with realistic utopianism. The book provides further hints for comparatively assessing realistic utopianism, realism and utopianism by ascertaining how the considered models conceive the relationship between practical relevance and theoretical adequacy. It investigates the prospects for an approach that dismisses all concerns the theoretical adequacy of the proposed principles and, therefore, with the philosophical commitments of political philosophy. The book emphasizes the need for political philosophy to stick to its proper philosophical character and it proposes a revised model for realistic utopianism. It distinguishes between two practical functions political philosophy pursues: prescription and evaluation.
