Carl Schmitt and Leo Strauss : the hidden dialogue ; including Strauss's notes on Schmitt's Concept of the political and three letters from Strauss to Schmitt

Carl Schmitt was the most famous and controversial defender of political theology in the twentieth century. But in his best-known work, The Concept of the Political , issued in 1927, 1932, and 1933, political considerations led him to conceal the dependence of his political theory on his faith in divine revelation. In 1932 Leo Strauss published a critical review of Concept that initiated an extremely subtle exchange between Schmitt and Strauss regarding Schmitt's critique of liberalism. Although Schmitt never answered Strauss publicly, in the third edition of his book he changed a number of passages in response to Strauss's criticisms. Now, in this elegant translation by J. Harvey Lomax, Heinrich Meier shows us what the remarkable dialogue between Schmitt and Strauss reveals about the development of these two seminal thinkers. Meier contends that their exchange only ostensibly revolves around liberalism. At its heart, their "hidden dialogue" explores the fundamental conflict between political theology and political philosophy, between revelation and reason­and ultimately, the vital question of how human beings ought to live their lives. "Heinrich Meier's treatment of Schmitt's writings is morally analytical without moralizing, a remarkable feat in view of Schmitt's past. He wishes to understand what Schmitt was after rather than to dismiss him out of hand or bowdlerize his thoughts for contemporary political purposes."—Mark Lilla, New York Review of Books

carl Schmitt Was The Most Famous And Controversial Defender Of Political Theology In The Twentieth Century. But In His Best-known Work, the Concept Of The Political, Issued In 1927, 1932, And 1933, Political Considerations Led Him To Conceal The Dependence Of His Political Theory On His Faith In Divine Revelation. In 1932 Leo Strauss Published A Critical Review Of concept that Initiated An Extremely Subtle Exchange Between Schmitt And Strauss Regarding Schmitt’s Critique Of Liberalism. Although Schmitt Never Answered Strauss Publicly, In The Third Edition Of His Book He Changed A Number Of Passages In Response To Strauss’s Criticisms. Now, In This Elegant Translation By J. Harvey Lomax, Heinrich Meier Shows Us What The Remarkable Dialogue Between Schmitt And Strauss Reveals About The Development Of These Two Seminal Thinkers.

meier Contends That Their Exchange Only Ostensibly Revolves Around Liberalism. At Its Heart, Their “hidden Dialogue” Explores The Fundamental Conflict Between Political Theology And Political Philosophy, Between Revelation And Reason­and Ultimately, The Vital Question Of How Human Beings Ought To Live Their Lives.

 

“heinrich Meier’s Treatment Of Schmitt’s Writings Is Morally Analytical Without Moralizing, A Remarkable Feat In View Of Schmitt’s Past. He Wishes To Understand What Schmitt Was After Rather Than To Dismiss Him Out Of Hand Or Bowdlerize His Thoughts For Contemporary Political Purposes.”—mark Lilla, new York Review Of Books 

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looks At The Subtle Dialogue, In The Form Of Book Introductions And Unacknowledged Changes In Text, Between Schmitt And Strauss On Politics And How It Relates To The Philosophical Tradition And To Modern Society. Includes A New Translation Of Strauss's Classic Essay And The First English Version Of Three Letters To Schmitt From Strauss. For Students Of Politics, Political Theory, And Philosophy. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

"Carl Schmitt was the most famous and controversial defender of political theology in the twentieth century. But in his best-known work, The concept of the political, issued in 1927, 1932, and 1933, political considerations led him to conceal the dependence of his political theory on his faith in divine revelation. In 1932 Leo Strauss published a critical review of Concept that initiated an extremely subtle exchange between Schmitt and Strauss regarding Schmitt's critique of liberalism. Although Schmitt never answered Strauss publicly, in the third edition of his book he changed a number of passages in response to Strauss's criticisms. Now, in this elegant translation by J. Harvey Lomax, Heinrich Meier shows us what the remarkable dialogue between Schmitt and Strauss reveals about the development of these two seminal thinkers. Meier contends that their exchange only ostensibly revolves around liberalism. At its heart, their "hidden dialogue" explores the fundamental conflict between political theology and political philosophy, between revelation and reason--and ultimately, the vital question of how human beings ought to live their lives."--Page 4 of cover Carl Schmitt is the most famous and controversial defender of political theology in our century. But in his best-known work, The Concept of the Political, issued in 1927, 1932, and 1933, political considerations led him to conceal the dependence of his entire political theory on his faith in divine revelation. In 1932 political philosopher Leo Strauss published a critical review of The Concept of the Political that earned him Schmitt's respect and initiated an extremely subtle interchange between Schmitt and Strauss regarding Schmitt's critique of liberalism. Although Schmitt never answered Strauss publicly, in the third edition of his book he changed key passages in response to Strauss's criticisms without ever acknowledging them. In the present book Heinrich Meier astutely follows the trail left by the interlocutors. The present volume includes a new translation of Strauss's classic essay and the first English version of three letters to Schmitt from Strauss. It is essential reading for students of politics, political theory, and philosophy. This study discusses Carl Schmitt's publication, in 1928, of "The Concept of the Political" and the response from Leo Strauss who, in 1932, published a critique of the work. The text documents Schmitt's response as Strauss continued to write letters questioning aspects of his argument. Heinrich Meier ; Translated By J. Harvey Lomax ; Foreword By Joseph Cropsey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Carl Schmitt became more famous and more infamous through the Concept of the Political than through all his other works.