LEO STRAUSS I ALEKSANDRE KOJÈVE: WPROWADZENIE DO DEBATY MYŚLICIELI

• Published in: Politeja 2007-01 (8), p.49-96
• Main Authors: ARMADA, Paweł, GÓRNISIEWICZ, Arkadiusz
• Format: Article
• Language: Polish
• Subjects: MYŚL POLITYCZNA
• ISSN: 1733-6716; 2391-6737

This essay may be labeled as an introduction to the upcoming Polish translation of the bookOn Tyranny(to be published by The Jagiellonian University Press) coauthored by the American political philosopher Leo Strauss and the French philosopher and prominent civil servant Aleksandre Kojève. The issues discussed in “On Tyranny” form the most important part of their significant philosophical and political debate. There are some striking similarities between them. Both left their homelands acquiring high social status in their adopted countries; both were extremely well educated and both became relatively well-known. While Kojève was recognized during his lifetime, Strauss has acquired much of his influence “posthumously’. The Strauss – Kojève confrontation, which has been virtually unavailable to the Polish public, has become a famous and thought-provoking source of inspiration for many political philosophers and political scientists (among them probably the best-known is Francis Fukuyama). The particular role in this debate may be given to the embedded in the philosophy of Hegel Kojève’s vision of human fulfillment at the end of history, creating of a universal and homogenous state and granting mutual recognition to all members of society. The legacy of both philosophers is easily susceptible to political and intellectual misappropriation that accounts for an effort to present their ideas in the form of a relatively wide commentary. The basis of the debate is Strauss’ bookOn Tyrannywhich is an example of a dense and rigorous philosophic commentary on the Xenophon’s dialogueHiero. Strauss’ understanding of the relations between tyranny and philosophy results in positing the most profound Socratic question about the two ways of life: the contemplative life of philosopher on the one hand, and the life of political activity on the other.