Leo Strauss on Plato’s Euthyphro: The 1948 Notebook, with Lectures and Critical Writings

This book presents Leo Strauss's 1948 notebook on Plato's Euthyphro, written in preparation for a class at the New School for Social Research. It includes close analysis, line-by-line commentary, and other materials such as public lectures, appendixes, critical essays, and a new English translation. It is a valuable resource for scholars and students of political theory, philosophy, and religion, and anyone interested in Strauss's work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2024
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

Leo Strauss, renowned for his profound insights into Western civilization, asserted that the central and defining debate within this complex tapestry lies between Jerusalem and Athens, encompassing the realms of piety and philosophy, the Bible and Plato. However, what is intriguing is that Strauss never ventured into publishing his thoughts on Plato's renowned dialogue, the Euthyphro. This remarkable volume, for the first time, presents Strauss's 1948 notebook, meticulously crafted in preparation for a class at the New School for Social Research. Within these pages, readers are granted a rare glimpse into the workings of a philosophical mind at play, as Strauss delves into the depths of the Euthyphro, engaging in close analysis, offering line-by-line commentary, and exploring intricate terms and arguments. What sets this notebook apart is Strauss's ability to step back, review the broader trajectory of the dialogue, and reevaluate his previous conclusions. Beyond the notebook, this volume encompasses a wealth of materials that shed light on Strauss's profound interpretations of the Euthyphro. These include newly transcribed and edited public lectures, illuminating appendixes, critical essays by volume editors Hannes Kerber and Svetozar Y. Minkov, as well as a captivating account of Strauss's public lecture. Additionally, a new English translation of Plato's Euthyphro by Seth Benardete, a renowned classicist and one of Strauss's esteemed students, is included. Engaging and inspiring, Leo Strauss on Plato's "Euthyphro" emerges as a vital resource for scholars and students of political theory, those intrigued by the intersection of philosophy and religion, and anyone passionate about the study of Strauss. This comprehensive volume offers a profound exploration of one of Plato's most influential dialogues, providing a deeper understanding of Strauss's intellectual journey and his profound contributions to the field of philosophy.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271095325