Leo Strauss’ ‘Natural Right and History’ Key Ideas

Quick Answer

• Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss argues for a return to classical political philosophy’s understanding of natural right, critiquing modern political thought for its relativism and historicism.
• Strauss posits that a stable political order requires grounding in universal, unchanging principles of justice, which he believes are discoverable through reason.
• The book is a foundational text for understanding Strauss’s critique of modernity and his defense of a philosophy of natural right.

Who This Is For

• Students and scholars of political philosophy, particularly those interested in classical thought and its relationship to modernity.
• Readers seeking to understand the philosophical underpinnings of critiques of relativism and historicism in political theory.

For a concise overview of Leo Strauss’s seminal work, ‘Natural Right and History,’ this book is essential. It lays out the core arguments for a return to classical political philosophy and critiques modern thought’s descent into relativism.

Natural Right and History

• Audible Audiobook
• Leo Strauss (Author) - Clark Cornell (Narrator)
• English (Publication Language)
• 02/14/2023 (Publication Date) - Tantor Audio (Publisher)

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What to Check First

• Strauss’s Core Argument: Strauss contends that modern political philosophy, beginning with Machiavelli, abandoned the classical understanding of natural right (inherent, universal moral standards) in favor of historical or subjective interpretations.
• Critique of Historicism: A central theme is the critique of historicism – the idea that truth and morality are determined by historical context and are therefore relative and impermanent. Strauss sees this as leading to nihilism.
• The Role of Reason: Strauss champions the capacity of human reason to discern objective standards of justice and the good life, independent of historical or social conditioning.
• Classical vs. Modern: The book systematically contrasts the approaches of classical thinkers (Plato, Aristotle) with modern ones (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke) to illustrate the shift away from natural right.

Step-by-Step Plan: Deconstructing Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss

This section outlines the core progression of Strauss’s argument in Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss, providing a framework for understanding its complex philosophical journey.

1. Examine the Classical Foundation: Begin with Strauss’s interpretation of Plato and Aristotle.

• Action: Read Strauss’s chapters on Plato and Aristotle.
• What to Look For: How Strauss presents classical philosophy as grounded in an understanding of natural right derived from human nature and the pursuit of the good.
• Mistake to Avoid: Assuming Strauss’s portrayal of the classics is definitive without considering alternative scholarly interpretations.

2. Analyze the Modern Turn: Focus on Strauss’s critique of Machiavelli and Hobbes.

• Action: Study Strauss’s analysis of Machiavelli and Hobbes.
• What to Look For: The deliberate break from classical natural right, the introduction of historical consciousness, and the redefinition of natural right in terms of natural liberty or self-preservation.
• Mistake to Avoid: Underestimating the radical nature of Strauss’s critique of these foundational modern thinkers.

3. Trace the Development of Modern Natural Right: Investigate Locke and Rousseau.

• Action: Review Strauss’s discussions on Locke and Rousseau.
• What to Look For: How Locke attempts to reconcile natural right with historical development and how Rousseau’s concept of the general will further complicates the notion of universal standards.
• Mistake to Avoid: Confusing Strauss’s exposition of these thinkers with an endorsement of their positions.

4. Understand the Crisis of Historicism: Consider Burke and the implications of historical relativism.

• Action: Analyze Strauss’s treatment of Burke.
• What to Look For: How Burke, while a defender of tradition, inadvertently contributes to historicism by grounding political legitimacy in historical experience rather than timeless principles.
• Mistake to Avoid: Overlooking Strauss’s nuanced critique of Burke, which acknowledges his conservatism while still finding him within the broader modern problematic.

5. Grasp the “Crisis of the Modern Soul”: Synthesize the arguments regarding the consequences of modernity.

• Action: Consolidate your understanding of the preceding chapters.
• What to Look For: Strauss’s conclusion that the abandonment of natural right leads to a crisis of meaning, nihilism, and the impossibility of a just political order.
• Mistake to Avoid: Dismissing Strauss’s concerns as overly alarmist without engaging with the philosophical logic he presents.

6. Identify Strauss’s Proposed Solution: Recognize the call for a return to first principles.

• Action: Reflect on the overarching message of the book.
• What to Look For: The implicit or explicit call for a philosophical re-engagement with natural right as the only viable foundation for political life and human flourishing.
• Mistake to Avoid: Expecting a prescriptive political program; Strauss’s work is primarily diagnostic and philosophical.

Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss: Common Myths

This section addresses common misunderstandings about Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss, offering clarity on its core tenets.

• Myth 1: Strauss rejects all forms of historical understanding in politics.
• Why it Matters: This misrepresents Strauss’s position, leading to the incorrect assumption that he advocates for a static, ahistorical political order.
• Fix: Strauss does not reject history but critiques historicism – the philosophical doctrine that all truth and values are relative to historical context. He believes history is crucial for understanding political phenomena, but that it cannot provide ultimate moral or political standards. He distinguishes between historical understanding and the philosophical discovery of timeless truths.

• Myth 2: Strauss’s philosophy is inherently conservative and anti-democratic.
• Why it Matters: This can lead to a premature dismissal of his arguments by those who are not politically conservative, or an oversimplification of his complex thought.
• Fix: While Strauss is often associated with conservative thought, his philosophy is primarily concerned with the foundations of political order and truth, regardless of specific political systems. His critique of modernity is aimed at its philosophical underpinnings, which he believes undermine the possibility of stable justice in any regime, including democracies. His focus is on the philosophical preconditions for a good society, not necessarily on advocating for a particular form of government.

• Myth 3: Strauss believes natural right is self-evident and easily applied.
• Why it Matters: This overlooks the rigorous philosophical effort Strauss argues is necessary to understand natural right.
• Fix: Strauss emphasizes that while natural right is grounded in nature, its understanding requires careful philosophical inquiry and dialectical reasoning. It is not a simple set of rules but a framework for understanding the good life and the conditions for a just society, which must be painstakingly rediscovered.

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FAQ

• Q1: What is the central thesis of Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss?
• A: The central thesis is that modern political philosophy, by abandoning the classical understanding of natural right, has led to historicism and relativism, undermining the possibility of objective standards for justice and the good life. Strauss argues for a return to classical philosophy’s emphasis on reason and nature as the source of these standards.

• Q2: How does Strauss differentiate between natural right and positive law?
• A: Natural right, for Strauss, refers to universal, inherent standards of justice and morality discoverable by reason, independent of human enactment. Positive law refers to the specific rules and regulations established by a particular political community. Strauss argues that positive law should ideally be guided by, and measured against, the principles of natural right to ensure justice.

• Q3: What is the significance of Strauss’s critique of historicism?
• A: Strauss views historicism as a corrosive doctrine that leads to nihilism. If all values are merely products of historical development and therefore relative, then there are no ultimate criteria for judging between different political systems or moral codes. This undermines the very possibility of philosophy and rational political judgment.

• Q4: Who are the primary philosophical influences Strauss engages with in this book?
• A: Strauss extensively engages with ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, and modern thinkers such as Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Edmund Burke. His work is a critical dialogue with these figures.

Expert Tips

• Tip 1: Focus on Strauss’s Method of Reading.
• Actionable Step: Pay close attention to how Strauss analyzes the texts of other philosophers. Note his distinctions between the literal meaning, the intended meaning, and the possible hidden or esoteric meanings.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Treating Strauss’s summaries of other philosophers as definitive or exhaustive without recognizing his specific interpretative lens. He often highlights what he sees as the essential philosophical problem or tension within a thinker’s work.

• Tip 2: Understand the “Essence” of Political Philosophy.
• Actionable Step: Recognize that Strauss often uses the term “essence” to refer to the fundamental, unchanging principles or problems that animate a philosophical tradition or a political order.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Confusing “essence” with mere historical accident or superficial characteristic. Strauss is looking for the core philosophical claims and their enduring implications, often hidden beneath the surface of historical presentation.

• Tip 3: Engage with the Contrarian Perspective.
• Actionable Step: Actively question your own assumptions about modernity, progress, and relativism as you read. Consider how Strauss’s arguments challenge prevailing contemporary viewpoints.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Reading Strauss solely to confirm existing beliefs. His work is designed to provoke critical reflection and often presents arguments that run counter to widely accepted modern ideas.

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