Rule

“Rule” adopts the tradition of political philosophy begun by Socrates and refined by Xenophon and Plato. It traces its genealogy through Machiavelli, Rousseau, Nietzsche, and Leo Strauss, to highlight very few. The book concentrates on something the characters call life-without-rule. What is life without rule? Is it possible? Is it a sort of utopia? How does it differ from anarchy? What about it appeals? What do we have to sacrifice in order to obtain that state? We might further ask: why is this conversation in a country club? What does the setting say about Student and his Father? Is it a red herring? Can't a philosophical conversation be held between anyone, anywhere? What is Director's function in this book? Why is a philosopher in a country club setting? Do philosophers frequent country clubs? Who cares if they do? Student asks what equality has to do with our relationship to power. Without that relationship, he says, our need for equality is gone. And, he adds, this is good. Without equality to blind us, we can focus on and appreciate and enjoy natural differences. His father sees this as a source of trouble. What about loyalty to one's own? Like will align with like, and conflict will arise. Student counters that opposites attract. And so a whole galaxy of inter-related ideas trigger a fine, creative discussion.