Comments on: Socrates, The Crito, and Me: On being a Ute

By: Clark

Clark — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:59:05 +0000

Chris (hope you see this as it’s been a week).

I didn’t know Reynolds was a Straussian. I’m surprised. I’ve never been in the Political Science department and know little about it. I was more surprised that Strauss’ philosophy would catch on at BYU. It just seems like an odd fit. I didn’t mean much deeper than that. And perhaps the Straussians might say I’m just too ignorant of Strauss. As you know I’m much more of a fan of straightout Heideggarians and Derrideans anyway.

By: Chris H

Chris H — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:26:35 +0000

Oh…..in that case the irony was intended for your enjoyment (and the rest of the peanut gallery).

In a way, I use the Crito because I have always been in awe of Socrates’ allegiance to Athens despite his poor treatment. My wife (a loyal BYU grad) has always asked why I like a place that treated me poorly. This is just how I explain. My use of the Crito is particularly ironic given my general disregard for nationalism and patriotism.

(Sorry for my rude response above….I should not blog while preparing for a yard sale).

By: Nate

Nate — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:47:08 +0000

Chris H.: My claim is not that you misunderstood the Crito or made false claims about it. Rather, my claim is that your use of the Crito along with the poignant story of communal alienation and belonging to affirm your liberalism is ironic. Irony is not an error, just a little treat for the folks in the peanut gallery.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:41:31 +0000

“Whatever else the Crito is about it is NOT a liberal argument or anything resembling…”

No shit. I never claimed that it did. Good to see that the attitude did not go away with the loss of facial hair.

By: Nate

Nate — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:42:15 +0000

I am loving the irony of a title that invokes Socrates and the Crito (!!!) to affirm one’s allegiance to secular liberalism. Whatever else the Crito is about it is NOT a liberal argument or anything resembling it. Indeed, the very notion that you express your liberalism in terms of corporate identity — I’m a Ute — a reference to filial piety to the polis is delicious.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:10:49 +0000

g. wesley,

I think I started thinking about this when they denied me entry into the doctoral program. While my career has play out well since then, it did break my heart.

By: g.wesley

g.wesley — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:51:07 +0000

well let’s hope that your fellow utes don’t sentence you to death.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:30:34 +0000

Jon, could luck with grad school.

Ben and Hunter: Thanks!

Clark: I am not sure what you are getting at (though I would love to hear you explain a bit your comment). Within political theory, Ralph Hancock is a die-hard Straussian and I would say that Noel Reynolds is also one.

By: Hunter

Hunter — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:09:32 +0000

I love that you take the time to post, Chris. This was great.

By: Ben Park

Ben Park — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:49:42 +0000

Thanks for this, Chris.