Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Student of PhD, Allameh Tabatabai University
Abstract
This article has been arranged to discuss Leo Strauss’ hermeneutical principles and their impacts on his political thought as well as his reading of Plato in two parts: 1. Strauss’ hermeneutics; and 2. Strauss’ political view. His believes that philosophers have introduced their teachings in a mysterious way; and their fear of prosecution prevents ordinary study of their works. And all that has been said, in the name of philosophy, of their works is a noble lie which philosophers had to say to people. In secret, they had other beliefs which they did not wish to reveal for other than their own friends. As a matter of fact, Strauss is an enemy of philosophy as it is taught in universities. In this article, the author has criticized this view seriously and logically. Strauss has been motivated to approach Plato’s works because of crisis in the West. Concerning justice as discussed in Plato’s Republic, Strauss thinks that Thrasymachus’ view is reasonable, and he is of the opinion that “justice is the advantage of the stronger” (338c). He thinks that Socrates’ defense against this view is an incomplete one and Socrates had been of the same opinion with Thracymachus.
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