Leo Strauss: Ancients v. Moderns I

Leo Strauss was not an unqualified fan of democracy, but neither was he truly anti-democratic. This video begins a discussion of Strauss's distinction between ancient and modern thought and his preference for the ancients. Strauss adopts the Platonic view of democracy in which it is the best of the flawed regimes precisely because it is a unstructured mess.

[@lsobrien]

The US has such a rich intellectual culture, which you would never think looking at its politics. Great video.

[@NoReprensentationWithoutTax]

Well strauss is german...

[@lsobrien]

@@NoReprensentationWithoutTax And he flourished in the US...

[@Spiraculumvitae]

He florished there by accident, because was the safest place to be

[@GodwardPodcast]

Pretty amazing how unchristian all of this is, while so many Christians ended up voting for Straussian. I mean, you know, the Machiaveillianism, materialism, constructionism, etc.

[@compagniaelvira]

Love your cat! Thank you for the release!

[@maurinacademy]

I love my crazy cat too:)

[@venroarharima]

Your lectures are excellent but I have to admit hearing your cats participate is my favourite part

[@smallscreentv1204]

Good video ! This type of wisdom is much needed right now, especially in the US who appears to be going through a severe decline due to a complete lack of wisdom and widespread moral decay

[@NoReprensentationWithoutTax]

Dont worry the elites still know this....

[@HellaRandomVideos]

Thank you

[@Godewig]

In this perspective the Neocons were no Straussians except the deciding point, that wise governments make wise decisions, e.g. to go to war or to believe in ideologies like CO2 superstition. If Peter Thiel thinks of a „Straussian moment“ he seems to misunderstand Strauss.

[@NoReprensentationWithoutTax]

CO2 superstition ?

[@jimmyfaulkner1855]

I’m new to studying political philosophy and I have a question for you. The question is what do you think is the right method for answering the big questions in political philosophy?

[@NetworkSneed]

I couldn't recommend a 'method' but I suppose a strategy would be to become aware of all different ideas, and the ideas that collect in them. For me the main three are Greek, Classic, and Modern. Isiah Berlin, Nigel Warburton, and also Roger scruton and perhaps Bertrand Russell have made contributions to the history of philosophy. Although reading the works in a kind of order first hand is best. So I suppose a start might be to have three on the go; Plato, Burke, and Machiavelli or something like that, then follow the thinkers in each of those eras from there.

[@jakosanchez7593]

Hi zh

[@hughsalter7769]

there is no such thing as directionless freedom

[@NoReprensentationWithoutTax]

So whats the liberty in liberty equality and fraternity about ?