A classical lesson in moderation. Allan Bloom on the relationship between the philosopher and the political community

Abstract

The author constitutes a reconstruction of Allan Bloom’s position on the relationship between the philosopher and the political community, which is important to philosophical tradition, as is symbolised by Socrates and his dispute with the Athenian polis. Texts authored by Bloom, as well as the Saul Bellow’s novel Ravelstein, provided the basis for the reconstruction. The novel’s protagonist, a professor of philosophy by the name of Abe Ravelstein, was modelled on Allan Bloom, while Chick, the narrator, corresponds to the author himself. Ravelstein is the story of their friendship, which has lasted from Bloom’s return to the University of Chicago in 1978 until his death in 1992. The article brings Bloom’s reflections closer to the Polish philosophical space, where they are, as yet, not widely known.