This chapter provides two reasons why philosophy and public administration (PA) ought to be connected more closely. The first perspective considers this connection as being constitutive and inherent: like every discipline and profession, PA is in search of its foundations, which only philosophical thinking can provide. The second perspective in connecting philosophy and PA stems from a concern for and preoccupation with the contemporary problems and multiple, interconnected and unceasing crises facing the world and society, and thence government and the public sector as a key part of society and of the possible solutions to contemporary problems. The chapter outlines the four approaches examined in this book for connecting philosophy and PA: (i) philosophy for PA; (ii) mapping backwards; (iii) aligning philosophy and PA; and (iv) philosophy of PA. The chapter then identifies the functions of philosophy applied to PA: enlightening; critical; gap filling; integrative; and normative. Finally, a research programme for connecting philosophy and PA is outlined.