The Three Waves of Modernity

Strauss's map of how political philosophy lost its footing — each wave lower than the last

Leo Strauss argued that modern political philosophy underwent three waves of "lowering" — each departing from the classical heights of virtue, nature, and reason, until nothing remained but will, history, and nihilism.

⬆ Classical Heights: Nature, Virtue, Reason, the Best Regime ⬆
↓ Each wave descends further from the classical horizon ↓

Read Strauss with Millerman

Get notified when new courses and materials are released.

✓ You're in. Check your inbox.

Share on X