Leo Strauss, a German-American political philosopher renowned for his work in classical political philosophy, stated, "Philosophy is the knowledge of the eternal and the awareness of the problems of one’s times." This dual-edged definition encapsulates two key elements that Strauss believed are integral to the philosophical endeavor: a timeless, universal pursuit of truth and a keen attentiveness to the issues and questions that define a particular historical and cultural moment.
Let's start with the first part of Strauss's definition, "knowledge of the eternal." By this, Strauss likely refers to the enduring questions and concepts that have occupied philosophers for millennia. These would include fundamental questions about existence, morality, consciousness, and the nature of reality, among others. For Strauss, philosophy at its core is an eternal dialogue with these foundational questions, one that aims to uncover universal principles or truths. This aspect of philosophy engages with issues that transcend temporal and cultural boundaries, focusing on what is unchanging and permanent.
This eternal element links Strauss’s thought to the classical and medieval traditions in philosophy, where the ultimate goal was often the pursuit of an unchanging truth or goodness. It distinguishes philosophy from more empirically-grounded sciences, which may focus on the temporal and changeable. This is not to say that philosophy ignores empirical realities; rather, its primary objective is to explore what underlies these realities, what gives them meaning or structure.
Now, moving to the second part of the definition, "the awareness of the problems of one’s times," we find a contrasting but complementary focus. Strauss insists that philosophy is not just a detached examination of abstract principles but must also be deeply engaged with the issues that are immediate and relevant to the society in which one lives. This includes grappling with political, social, and ethical problems that are specific to one's era. Philosophers, in Strauss's view, should not be sequestered in ivory towers, but must understand and respond to the pressing questions and challenges of their day.
This aspect of Strauss’s definition resonates with the more pragmatic dimensions of philosophy. It suggests that while philosophy may engage with eternal questions, it is not divorced from the real world. On the contrary, it is deeply implicated in the world and has a role to play in shaping societal values, norms, and policies. Philosophers, according to this view, bear a certain responsibility to apply their pursuit of eternal knowledge to the resolution or at least the understanding of contemporary issues.
In summary, Leo Strauss’s definition of philosophy as "the knowledge of the eternal and the awareness of the problems of one’s times" offers a nuanced view that captures both the timeless and timely dimensions of the field. On one hand, philosophy seeks to engage with eternal truths that underlie the changing phenomena of the world. On the other hand, it is also deeply rooted in the specifics of its historical and cultural context, aiming to shed light on the pressing issues of the day. This dual focus makes philosophy a discipline that strives for a balance between the universal and the particular, between timeless wisdom and timely insight.
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