that by reading these books and debating these issues,

通过阅读这些著作讨论这些议题
you will become a better, more responsible citizen;

你将成为更优秀更有责任感的公民
you will examine the presuppositions of public policy,

你将重新审视公共政策的假定前提
you will hone your political judgment,

你将拥有更加敏锐的政治判断力
you will become a more effective participant in public affairs.

你将更有效地参与公共事务
But this would be a partial and misleading promise.

但这一许诺也可能片面而具误导性
Political philosophy, for the most part,

因为绝大多数情况下政治哲学
hasn't worked that way.

并不是那样的
You have to allow for the possibility

你们必须承认政治哲学
that political philosophy may make you a worse citizen

可能使你们成为更糟的公民
rather than a better one

而不是更优秀的
or at least a worse citizen before it makes you a better one,

至少在让你成为更优秀公民前先让你更糟