Restatement on Xenophon's Hiero by Leo Strauss
The dialogue presents a fictional conversation between the tyrant Hiero and the poet Simonides, who discusses the nature of happiness and the ideal form of government. Strauss argues that the dialogue is a critique of tyranny and an exploration of the tension between reason and passion. The work is seen as a commentary on the human condition, with Hiero's character representing the excesses of power and Simonides' wisdom serving as a counterpoint.
By Leo Strauss · First published 1951 · Genre: Philosophy, Political Theory, Classical Studies · 18,988 words
First lines
A social science that cannot speak of tyranny with the same confidence with which medicine speaks, for example, of cancer, cannot understand social phenomena as what they are. It is therefore not scientific. Present-day social science finds itself in this condition. If it is true that present-day social science is the inevitable result of modern social science and of modern philosophy, one is forced to think of the restoration of classical social science. Once we have learned again from the classics what tyranny is, we shall be enabled and compelled to diagnose as tyrannies a number of contemporary regimes which appear in the guise of dictatorships. This diagnosis can only be the first step toward an exact analysis of present-day tyranny, for present-day tyranny is fundamentally different from the tyranny analyzed by the classics.
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Restatement on Xenophon's Hiero is listed on Textopian as an essay by Leo Strauss, dated 1951 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: Leo Strauss
- Date: 1951 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophy, Political Theory, Classical Studies, Literary Criticism, History
- Length: 18,988 words
- Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Philosophy — The book is a philosophical analysis of Xenophon's dialogue, focusing on political philosophy and the nature of tyranny.
- Political Theory — It explores themes of governance, power, and the relationship between rulers and subjects.
- Classical Studies — The work is a commentary on an ancient Greek text, engaging with classical literature and historical context.
- Literary Criticism — The book provides a critical examination of Xenophon's writing style and narrative techniques.
Tags
Philosophy · Politics · Ethics · Ancient Greek Thought · Socratic Method · Platonic Dialogues · Xenophon's Works · Hiero · Monarchy · Tyranny · Justice · Morality