Poetry and History: The Classical Style of Political Philosophy

Author: Lin Guohua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Poetry and History: The Classical Style of Political Philosophy is undoubtedly a unique book. It leaves a striking impression of traversing time and space, ranging from ancient Greece to the Roman Empire, from medieval Italy to the Renaissance, from the Confucian tradition of China to the currently popular Leo Strauss—all woven together by the author's vibrant and dynamic thoughts into a dazzling intellectual garden, blooming with thought-provoking blossoms. The style of the entire book is diverse, as can be seen from the table of contents. It includes: historical notes, lecture annotations, hints, glimpses, prefaces, brief explanations, close readings, and so on. The articles here are all very concise and refined, with few clichés but rich in aphoristic charm. For example: "Where hope ends, piety no longer exists; and the moment piety ends is also the moment humanity reverts to barbarism." Isn't this reminiscent of Nietzsche and Lu Xun's sharp style?