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Leo Strauss, "Natural Right and History"
Strauss was definitely one of the most influential thinkers and writers of the twentieth century. Much of his ideas have evolved into the platforms for, what today can be referred to as the neo-conservative movement. Strauss was actually born a year prior to the turn of the twentieth century in Germany to an Orthodox Jewish family which undoubtedly influenced much of his worldview. With the rise of the Nazis, Strauss was able to use his education and his doctorate to flee the country and was able to land a teaching job at the University of Chicago. Some of the lectures he gave at this university set the foundation for the Natural Right and History.
The central concept of his argument deals with whether or not individuals are endowed with natural rights simply for being a member of the human species. That there is some truth that lies outside of our perception that constitutes a Truth (capital T). Many of the more modern philosophers, such as Nietzsche, rejected the ideas of any external Truth and believed that truth was more relative in nature. Strauss takes the position that there is some room to try to bridge the ancient notions of an external truth with some of the more modern views. Strauss tries to first argue with the concept of historicism.
Historicism can be loosely defined as the inability to be able...
Although history has provided us with many trends throughout the ages, it is difficult to apply any moral critics to the right or wrongs that are associated with different events. Any attempt to do so represents something of a projection of morality or ethics that is based on an individual's reason as opposed to an external Truth.
Strauss makes many reasonable points that are devoted to the structure of society. He asserts that not all men are actually created equal -- some are wiser and more capable than others. The best individuals in the society should obviously be the society's leaders, however this is not always the case. A leaders authority depends on the consent of the people that they lead or rule -- whether it be an implied consent or one based upon the use of force. This can ultimately lead to fascism or despotism.
For the most part, I am a fan of Strauss's work. I think that some natural right, some external truth does exist, and modern science is slowly dismantling the barriers that prevent us from possessing this knowledge. Although science itself has philosophical limitations, the scientific method is the most valuable tool that humanity has ever produced. While we cannot prove that there is an ultimate "right" or "wrong" in…
Strauss and Nature Strauss is contending that the "self-evident" natural rights of man are no more apparent because of a creeping relativism in thought and an increasing dependence on legalism. Thus, "the legislators and the courts" decide what is "right" and what is not. In a sense, the lament of Strauss for the loss of common sense, especially regarding what is naturally good and lawful is appreciable. It is just. On
slavery and citizenship in Aristotle's Politic: Aristotle believes that most people in the world can be enslaved devoid of injustice as they are born to be slaves. At the same time some are born to be free and dominate as masters. Most modern critics have smeared these concepts of Aristotle. In this paper the writer evaluates the concepts of citizenship and slavery in light of Aristotle's politic to reveal not
Strauss on Moral Relativism The Shifting Sand of Moral Relativism Current political and social thought which is built on the foundation of moral relativism can no more chart a path for a nation to follow out of confusion into an enlightened and orderly society any more than a blind man can describe an elephant, or a child can pilot a 777 airliner. The tools, talents, skills, and abilities of moral relativism are
However, the point of mergence between the two theories has been given a name for itself and it is known as the Overlap Thesis. Overall, the natural law theory of law is used to refer to the analysis of legal systems and philosophical issues of law. Among those who sought that natural law has no valid grounds is Leo Strauss who was convinced that it has to be refused on
Another writer notes, "Conservatives, Wooldridge explained, have most of the new ideas for public policy, and the momentum. This does not necessarily translate into winning an election, he said, but it does mean that the conservative voice will be heard regardless of who is in office" (Haines). This again indicates that conservatism in America is much more than simple politics. It covers the spectrum from the economy to social
Mill agrees that the mischief a person does to himself can affect others, and he finds that it is right to bring to bear moral disapprobation, Whenever there is a definite damage, the case moves out of the province of liberty and into that of morality or law. With reference to that which is merely contingent, however, society can afford to bear the inconvenience (Magid 799-800). Mill in his work on