Abstract

The author retraces the aims which lay at the origins of "Filosofia politica " as made clear in an editorial note by Nicola Matteucci. The essay thereby clarifies the strict link between history of concepts and political philosophy, a link that has charachterized the research work of the journal in the past twenty years, trying at the same time to avoid a series of misunderstandings. The author finally aims at clarifying the nature of political philosophy, in relation to philosophical thinking and to the double task of understanding our present and orienting political agency.