Leo Strauss

Date of Birth: September 20, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: October 18, 1973

Biography

Leo Strauss was a German-American political philosopher who specialized in classical political philosophy. Born on September 20, 1899, in Kirchhain, Germany, Strauss is most renowned for his work on the relationship between philosophy and political science. He fled Nazi Germany in 1932 and settled in the United States, where he taught at the New School for Social Research and later at the University of Chicago. Strauss is noted for his interpretations of classical philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Maimonides, and his critique of modern political thought. His groundbreaking works, including “Natural Right and History” and “Persecution and the Art of Writing,” have had a significant impact on political theory. Strauss passed away on October 18, 1973, in Annapolis, Maryland.

5 Interesting Facts about Leo Strauss

1. Leo Strauss studied at the University of Marburg, where he was influenced by the philosopher Martin Heidegger.

2. He was a critic of both modern liberalism and historicism, arguing that they undermined the foundations of moral and political life.

3. Strauss’s concept of “esoteric writing” suggests that many classical philosophers wrote in a manner that concealed their true thoughts to avoid persecution.

4. He was a key figure in the development of neoconservatism in the United States.

5. Strauss’s influence extends to various fields including political science, philosophy, and classical studies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leo Strauss

1. “The highest things cannot be written down; they must be lived.”

2. “The crisis of the West consists in the West’s having become uncertain of its purpose.”

3. “Education is the art of making man ethical.”

4. “Liberal education is the counter-poison to mass culture.”

5. “Nature is not mute; it speaks to us through the human mind.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Leo Strauss did not achieve significant personal wealth from his academic career. His net worth is not documented, but his intellectual legacy is priceless and continues to influence modern political thought.