What Is Political Philosophy?
An Introduction to Athen's Flame
In previous posts I’ve mentioned my interest in and study of political philosophy and the history of political philosophy. This interest was always in the background of my family life because of my dad’s studies and work.
I began to study political philosophy as an undergraduate at BYU in my dad’s classes, and I took other related classes as a student in Israel. But it wasn’t until after my experiences in Israel, when I returned to Hillsdale Michigan where my dad began his teaching career, that I began to immerse myself more fully in the study of political philosophy.
I kept a detailed record of my studies and experiences as a student in the graduate program in Statesmanship at Hillsdale College. My blog The White Horse contains a semester by semester report that includes links to every book that I read, every paper that I wrote, and much, much more. After graduating from Hillsdale College with a masters degree in political philosophy and American politics, I continued to study political philosophy in connection with the Provo Great Books Club. (see here, here, and here)
I recently met (again) my dad’s teacher from his time at Harvard, professor Harvey C. Mansfield. Professor Mansfield graciously signed several copies of his books that I had brought with me to his lecture. I mention this encounter because in addition to teaching my dad at Harvard, Professor Mansfield has translated a couple of the most important books in the history of political philosophy, namely Tocqueville’s Democracy in America and Machiavelli’s The Prince. Professor Mansfield has also written numerous other political philosophy books.
Dr. Mansfield’s teacher was Leo Strauss, about whom my dad gave a lecture at BYU not too long ago. Leo Strauss is perhaps the most important thinker of the 20th century. I just started to re-read and comment upon Strauss’ book What is Political Philosophy? in a facebook group by the same title that I created.
I mention all of these things because I just created a new category for this Substack The Torch called “Athen’s Flame” wherein I aim to record my thoughts and ideas regarding political philosophy and the history of political philosophy. Thus far the posts in this category of The Torch include the following:
My eleven part essay response to the Storey’s Book Why We Are Restless
Fathom the Good: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Homeschool Curriculum
A Video Presentation on Fathom the Good: Another Introduction to the Fathom the Good Curriculum
Seneca Drives Us: A Few More Reflections on Seneca's On the Shortness of Life
What is Political Philosophy?: An Introduction to “Athen’s Flame”
If you would like to join me in my ongoing study of political philosophy and the history of political philosophy, you are invited to my facebook group What is Political Philosophy? and you can also read and comment in this category of The Torch, “Athen’s Flame”. Thank you.