Abstract

Contrary to economics or history, for example, there does not exist an organized field dedicated tothe philosophy of political science. Given that the philosophical issues raised by political scienceresearch are just as pressing and vibrant as those raised in these more organized fields, fostering afield that labels itself Philosophy of Political Science (PoPS) is important. PoPS is advanced here as afruitful meeting place where both philosophers and practicing political scientists contribute anddiscuss—with philosophical discussions that are close to and informed by actual developments inpolitical science, making philosophy of science continuous with the sciences in line with contemporarynaturalist philosophy of science. The topics scrutinized in the different chapters of the Handbook willfigure prominently in PoPS, as we lay out in this chapter.