On the Relationship between Political Philosophy and Political Science

In the process of understanding politics, it is necessary to reassess the role and relationship between political philosophy and political science, from three dimensions: the change of cognitive rationality, the relationship of cognitive approaches and the integration of cognitive functions, to promote the innovative development of contemporary Chinese political science. From the dimension of the change of cognitive rationality, political science has undergone a non-linear change from the formation of classical archetypes to rethinking in the contemporary context. It is necessary to re-evaluate the position and relation between political philosophy and political science in the idea of “concordance” and “coexistence” rather than “opposition” and “substitution” in the future development of political science. From the dimension of cognitive approach, the distinction between political philosophy and political science is not only necessary but also relative. Both have their own characteristics and limitations. Nevertheless, the dilemma of political science is expected to be dissolved in the integration of value orientation and scientific orientation. As for the integration of cognitive functions, it is necessary to take a comprehensive and objective view of the transformation of political science research from the philosophical era to the scientific era, and realize the integration and unification, in the understanding-explaining-solving Chinese problems, of localized political philosophy and political science.