

Straussian Summer School
49 snips Jun 4, 2025
Steven Smith, a Yale professor and expert on Leo Strauss, joins for an enlightening discussion on Strauss’s impact on political philosophy. They dive into the East vs. West Coast Straussians debate and explore fusionism's potential. The conversation delves into the complexities of the Great Man Theory, while also dishing out some intriguing gossip about 20th-century intellectuals. Smith clarifies Strauss's key philosophies, examining the balance of faith and skepticism, and the ideological shifts within modern conservatism.
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Strauss on Philosophy's Quest
- Leo Strauss focused on philosophy as a quest for the best way of life against historicism and positivism.
- He viewed philosophy as an ongoing search, not culminating in final answers.
Esoteric Writing in Philosophy
- Strauss argued philosophers use esoteric writing to protect dangerous ideas from persecution.
- This idea challenges straightforward interpretation and complicates trust in philosophical texts.
Jerusalem vs Athens Tension
- Strauss viewed Western thought as a tension between faith (Jerusalem) and philosophy (Athens).
- He believed sustaining a dialogue between these poles is vital to Western civilization.