Contemporary Quote by Leo Strauss
“The contemporary rejection of natural right leads to nihilism — nay, it is identical with nihilism,”
About This Quote
Source Book: Natural Right and History by Leo Strauss, 1950
Rejecting natural rights leads to a worldview where no values are grounded, resulting in nihilism.
In simple terms: Denial of natural rights creates meaninglessness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and uphold objective moral foundations.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
nihilism
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- legal theory
- education
- public policy
Key Concepts
natural law
moral relativism
existential risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What values can anchor society without natural rights?
- How does this view affect legal systems?
A Different Perspective
Nihilism can also arise from other sources, not only natural right denial.
![“The emancipation of the scholars and scientists from philosophy is according to [Nietzsche] only a part of the democratic movement, i.e. of the emancipation of the low from subordination to the high. ... The plebeian character of the contemporary scholar or scientist is due to the fact that he has…” quote by Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/76a/leo-strauss-12446_character_the-emancipation-of-the-scholars-and-sci_389563.jpg)
