自由民主制的危机及其古典式辩护——论施特劳斯的政治立场

The Classical Defense of Liberal Democracy:On Strauss' s Political Position

自由主义者站在启蒙运动的立场上指责施特劳斯是自由民主制的"敌人",但这一指责是基于一种对哲学与政治关系的错误理解,这种理解是导致自由民主制陷入危机的根本原因。为了应对这一危机,施特劳斯致力于复兴一种古典自由主义传统,其核心在于充分认识哲学与政治之间的张力,他分别为自由民主制做了最低的和最高的辩护,前者是通过凸显政治的非理性特色,后者是通过强调哲学的超越性特色。因而我们可以说施特劳斯是自由民主制的"诤友"。

The modern liberalists criticize Strauss＇ s anti-democratic thought on the modern Enlightenment position,but their criticism is based on a misunderstanding of the relationship between philosophy and politics,which is the main cause of the crisis of liberal democracy. In order to cope with this crisis,Strauss devoted himself to revive a classical liberalism tradition,the core of which is to sufficiently recognize the intension of philosophy and politics. By emphasizing the necessity and un-rationality of politics,he laid the lowest and absolute foundation to the liberal democracy; and by emphasizing the transcendency and the limits of philosophy,he gave a supreme and liberalism defending for liberal democracy. Therefore it can be said that Strauss is a＂critical-friend＂of the liberal democracy.