Episode 135 ... Leo Strauss - Ancients vs. Moderns

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[@faysal8597]

This episode is a gem ! You article Strauss idea so masterfully which admits just how well you have comprehended this view.

[@dgreenspino]

I would say this is one of my favorite episodes but I like so many of them. The real vs ideal is super intriguing though and I'd love to hear more episodes on that. I've listened to this one many times already.

[@roncox4048]

I love this podcast. Just discovered it. Listening to the early eps over an over again at the moment. Get more from each ep every time I hear one. Thanks Mr West

[@eliasqueen4020]

Fascinating. Leo Strauss is great, also I love that you have Isaiah Berlin episodes- his introduction to Joseph De Maistre’s “Considerations on France” is one of my favorite philosophical essays (on a Philosophical essay lol).

[@williambuysse5459]

Well presented. Machiavelli initiated the break with the tradition by openly and publically rejecting the ontological priority of ends in nature. This he did long before the mathematicizing of nature and it's concomitant metaphysical neutrality which followed in the 17th century. Also Machiavelli launched not just a revolution in philosophy but a blasphemous assault upon Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. Modern philosophy would be further aided albeit unawares by Luther.

[@MaryMi]

I hope you never stop putting out episodes.

[@HeyRaggy]

It looks like Joe "A buddy of mine" Rogan wants you on his podcast...I hope I see you on there!

[@terriwallis162]

Yay! So glad to hear a new episode. I have recently grown very interested in philosophy and find myself shut out of most groups bc I am a newby and don't quite understand the vernacular yet. I am homebound bc of Leukemia treatments, but your podcast has given me a new interest to cultivate. Thank you!

[@rafaelwendel1400]

I have no words other than admiration by the work Stephen does to make philosophy accesible with quality by any one who might interest! I really wanted to ask for episodes about John Mill and Etienne de la Boetie, if I may.

[@Anarcath]

So nice to see you back! I’d been wondering about your podcast for the past week or two.

[@Gentry.H.P.]

Bro you do an amazing job every time I listen to these. I’ve been reading books written by the people you have narrated. Makes me think and helps my convictions.

[@spenserkussin-gika2632]

Just so good. Thank you so much! Philosophy is absolutely a way of life.

[@mateustravaglini6103]

finally you're back into my life!

[@SeekersofUnity]

This piece was great. thanks

[@trombone7]

Patreon is cool, dude. I just listened to his latest podcast about Hannah Arendt, not yet available on youtube. The ending is powerful. A veiled or not-so-veiled call to action.

[@jkonrad]

Great stuff. For the Everyman like myself

[@OTPpride]

Damn this got me thinking

[@orddro6657]

16:20 what modernity, post-enlightenment, eventually leads to: Relativism Historicism Scientism Economism Or Nihilism. Without a strict value system we might derive meaning from these schools of thought.

[@Elaboratestories]

This is great it really helps with understanding what's going on today.

[@christophersnowden4117]

How do you decide when rational analysis is appropriate and when it is not? Like Hegel said, to know a limit as a limit is to be beyond it. Reason is broader than enlightenment rationality

[@rodrigodiazcasas384]

We need Values, we need Guidance, we need Morality. Why does Leo Strauss resembles my town preacher so much? hahaha my god, i feel i went back five centuries with this podcast.

[@erlinacobrado7947]

If you like this episode on Leo Strauss, you would probably find it helpful applied much more specifically to contemporary American life, particularly universities, by Strauss' student Allan Bloom, in the 80's bestseller "Closing of the American Mind," explained by Bradford Harris. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGSyeqx5qMR8pJY Bloom's book owes much to Strauss' account, but much more particular, and concerned of our interest.

[@onthego578]

Suppose one's implementing certain ways to put together the 'real' world, that nonetheless includes a prior world as a scenario up for implementation, which is a continuity of the 'ideal' one. How can that be included addressed in the discussion? Doesn't that in a way imply the prior world's shortcomings? Anyways, I'm new here, and having a great time enjoying the podcasts!

[@terriwallis162]

are there transcripts available?

[@thepleasantpuffin]

Yes, if you go to philosophizethis . org and click on the episode you are interested in, you will find a link to the transcript under the audio player.

[@trombone7]

Eff to the yee-yeah ! ! Translation : Awesome ! ! More "Philosophize This !" !

[@CancelledPhilosopher]

Leo Strauss is the most interesting Conservative I've ever heard of before.

[@abhimanyukarnawat7441]

Based strauss.

[@tonylou8906]

9:00

[@21Liberdade]

I listened to both this & Hannah Arendt's episodes, and a question repeatedly came up. Now, I know these are summaries and my ignorance of these authors may get in the way. But, who are these "people" the authors refer to? In this one we're introduced to the idea that for all the good the Enlightenment/Modernity gave us, it also produced a crisis of values or of identity, which is juxtaposed with earlier historic periods and societies which build their projects upon certain values. In Arendt's episode, likewise, the Enlightenment merely reinforced the practical idea that the essence of a person is the economic pursuit they're dedicated to. In both cases I'm left wondering who are these collectives of people that both authors conjured up to justify these argument? Simply put, when has ever not the - for lack of a better term - average joe concern himself with setting food on the table? How can these authors, and Strauss mostly, assert that a farmer or potter in Ancient Greece had the availability to dedicate himself to such existential matters? Or when were such people actively welcome and participating in a society's political life? It may be my ignorance, but it seems there's an underlying notion of privilege to such analysis, or perhaps self-delusion.

[@VisibleMRJ]

Question: is incest wrong? Science: nope Plato: ohhh man I told you guys that this would rob human being of their identity and values

[@jesusporro746]

I know that this has nothing to do with the topic, as a matter of fact I am not very interested in philosophy, simply I listen only for improve my listening, but what an impressive body has my pretty sister in law

[@eyeCU.00]

So in other words be a philosopher as needed?

[@mrchristopherg]

no, be a philosopher from necessity

[@gauchedentallab1057]

YOU WERE GONE TOO LONG AGAIN.

[@philo3838]

Lots of neat oversimplifications here. We don't know what the ancient thought, only a fraction of what they wrote remained and how the average man was affected by then isn't clear. You saying the Greeks thought x is a fantasy. Who were there Greeks in this sentence, do you have any evidence about what the common Man thought of philosophy? All appearances indicate that they didn't think about it at all and it didn't effect their life in any meaningful way. Philosophy is an occupation for the elite who have their slaves reap and sow as the ancient Greek play jokes. The rhetoric used in this podcast is similar to the altright in its fantastic over generalisations.

[@honkhonkler7411]

This is a very bad take. Try harder next time.