Leo Strauss and Islamic Political Thought

The first comprehensive discussion of Leo Strauss's writings on Islamic political thought.

Rasoul Namazi (Author)

9781009098700, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 July 2022

292 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.59 kg

'A very stimulating and suggestive study that presents, through Leo Strauss's writings, the interface of medieval Islamic thought and the discontents of modern political philosophy in a thoroughly enjoyable fashion. A boon for every student and lover of Islamic philosophy. … indispensable.' S. Parvez Manzoor, The Muslim World Book Review

In this book, Rasoul Namazi offers the first in-depth study of Leo Strauss' writings on Islamic political thought, a topic that interested Strauss over the course of his career. Namazi's volume focuses on several important studies by Strauss on Islamic thought. He critically analyzes Strauss's notes on Averroes' commentary on Plato's Republic and also proposes an interpretation of Strauss' theologico-political notes on the Arabian Nights. Namazi also interprets Strauss' essay on Alfarabi's enigmatic treatise, The Philosophy of Plato and provides a detailed commentary on his complex essay devoted to Alfarabi's summary of Plato's Laws. Based on previously unpublished material from Strauss' papers, Namazi's volume provides new insights into Strauss' reflections on religion, philosophy, and politics, and their relationship to wisdom, persecution, divine law, and unbelief in the works of key Muslim thinkers. His work presents Strauss as one of the most innovative historians and scholars of Islamic thought of all time.

1. Averroes between platonic philosophy and the Sharīʻa
2. Politics, religion, and love: How Leo Strauss read the Arabian Nights
3. From Alfarabi's Plato to Strauss's Alfarabi
4. Strauss, Alfarabi, and Plato's Laws.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Islam [HRH], Social & political philosophy [HPS]