Straight White American Jesus Peter Thiel's Gospel Part II: Palantir and the Philosopher-King
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Oct 22, 2025 Dr. Brad Onishi dives deep into Peter Thiel's Palantir, exploring its ideological roots influenced by Leo Strauss. The discussion reveals how this tech giant embodies a national defense strategy steeped in post-9/11 philosophy. Onishi examines Palantir's controversial role in U.S. government surveillance and its implications for civil liberties. Key figures like Alex Karp are scrutinized, with their connections to Western superiority and aggressive security measures highlighted. The conversation raises essential questions about the balance between security and freedom.
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Straussian Roots Of Thiel's Politics
- Peter Thiel's 2004 essay The Straussian Moment frames his post‑9/11 shift toward illiberal tactics for national security.
- Thiel blends Leo Strauss's emergency politics with René Girard's techno‑theology to justify extraordinary measures.
When Ends Trump Rules
- Strauss argues objective moral ends can justify suspending normal rules of action in extreme situations.
- Thiel reads this as permission for secretive intelligence and unilateral action to protect the West.
Palantir As A Straussian Application
- Thiel conceived Palantir during the same post‑9/11 period that produced his Straussian essay.
- The company operationalizes his idea of using tech and espionage to prevent future attacks.
