Identifying Who Lamented the ‘Death’ of Political Philosophy

This question asks to identify the scholar who expressed concern over the perceived decline or 'death' of political philosophy.

Analyzing the Options

• Robert Dahl: Known for his work on democracy and pluralism, notably his 1961 article "The Decline of Political Theory."
• Peter Laslett: A historian associated with the Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure. He famously contributed to the discussion about the state of political philosophy.
• Peter Winch: Known for his work in the philosophy of social science, particularly on the concept of understanding social phenomena.
• David Easton: A prominent political scientist known for his systems approach to political analysis and the definition of politics as the authoritative allocation of values.

Reasoning for the Correct Answer

The concept of the ‘death’ or decline of political philosophy was a significant topic of debate, particularly in the mid-20th century. While figures like Robert Dahl famously wrote about the "decline of political theory," the specific lament often attributed in this context points towards Peter Laslett. Laslett, in discussions and writings around the time, engaged with the perceived crisis and decline in the normative and theoretical aspects of political philosophy, questioning its vitality and future direction.

Therefore, Peter Laslett is the scholar among the options most directly associated with lamenting the perceived 'death' of political philosophy during a critical period in its study.

Conclusion

Based on the historical discourse surrounding political philosophy, Peter Laslett is identified as the figure who lamented its perceived 'death'.