Leo Strauss on Jerusalem and Athens: A Girardian Analysis

For Strauss, Jerusalem and Athens are the two roots of Western civilization, with Jerusalem representing biblical revelation and Athens representing philosophy. Their relationship is one of "fundamental opposition," an opposition that constitutes the vitality of western civilization. In St...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ranieri, John J. 1956- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Purdue Univ. Press 2004
In: Shofar
Year: 2004, Volume: 22, Issue: 2, Pages: 85-104
Further subjects:B Girard, René (1923-2015)
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:For Strauss, Jerusalem and Athens are the two roots of Western civilization, with Jerusalem representing biblical revelation and Athens representing philosophy. Their relationship is one of "fundamental opposition," an opposition that constitutes the vitality of western civilization. In Strauss's reading, to choose between Jerusalem and Athens is to choose between "life in obedience to divine law or life in freedom." Girard, too, recognizes the tension between Athens and Jerusalem, but he does not conceive of it as Strauss does. The question to be considered will be whether or not Strauss's account of the relationship between Jerusalem and Athens has left him susceptible to Girard's critique of philosophy, particularly his critique of Heidegger. Has Strauss overlooked philosophy's complicity in scapegoating, and its cultural role in hiding the victim from view?
ISSN:1534-5165
Contains:Enthalten in: Shofar