NEW Slow Reading Pathway: Nietzsche’s “Thus Spake Zarathustra”  

The Books

Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Q4 2023) – Books I and II 

Rousseau, Second Discourse, On the Origins of Inequality

Spinoza, selections from The Theologico-Political Treatise

Maimonides, selections from The Guide of the Perplexed

Selections from Genesis and Exodus

Sophocles, Antigone

Xenophon, Apology of Socrates to the Jury

Plato, Euthyphro, Alcibiades II

This reading pathway starts from works of the modern period and returns to the origins of political philosophy among the ancients – back to beginnings. By viewing our texts from the lens of the theologico-political problem, we see why political philosophy had to come about as an alternative to the natural science of the pre-Socratic philosophers. The theologico-political problem brings together several questions into one fundamental question: divine guidance or human guidance in the political community?

Can we acquire knowledge of the good to guide our lives individually and collectively by unaided human reason,  or are we dependent for that knowledge divine revelation?

The problem is more interesting if we do not close the question by answering it from the start, even by answering “both.” In the context of the political community, the question concerns the best way of life. What is the best life? The life of obedience to divine command, or a philosophic life based on unlimited inquiry – which includes questioning all claims of authority, whether divine law or democratic law, or public opinion, the most vicious of them all. 

The Design of the Pathway

This program is designed to help participants to make the most of classic texts by slow reading and conversing.

Understanding happens through the practices of reading and thoughtful discussion, and by letting the author speak for himself.   Even though we have our sights on the theological-political problem, as it appears in the diverse works on our list, each week we will be facing together a selection from these rich books. Conversation helps to open up a deep and lasting appreciation of these consummate works.

New participants are  welcome to join along the way, even if one of the books in the series has been missed. Each book constitutes its own unique experience, worth spending time in and of itself  

We will be spending roughly a quarter per book in the series.  

Starting Date: Sunday, October 8th, 8 pm ET | 7 pm CT | 6 pm MT | 5 pm PT

Instructors: Jason Happel and Reynaldo Miranda

Duration: Weekly meetings, for 1 Quarter (October, November, December 2023)

Edition: