Jonah Goldberg has realized that, if you name drop Leo Strauss enough, you’re eventually going to have to explain who you’re talking about. As the benevolent educator of The Remnant masses, Jonah has conspired with Steven Smith, a Straussian expert and professor of political science and philosophy at Yale University, to deliver this deep dive on the life and work of Leo Strauss.
Jonah and Steven dig into the fundamentals of Strauss’ work, the debate between the East Coast and West Coast Straussians, the value and potential in fusionism, and Harry Jaffa’s various quirks. Plus: the flaws with the Great Man Theory and some gossip on the heavy hitting intellectuals of the 20th century.
Show Notes:
—Steven Smith: Reading Leo Strauss: Politics, Philosophy, Judaism
—The Liberties Journal: “What is a Statesman?”
—Take Steven’s Yale University course on political philosophy from your couch!
—Irving Kristol’s 1952 review of Strauss' Persecution and the Art of Writing in Commentary Magazine
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