Larry Arnhart
Biographic Data
| ID | 489429 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Larry Arnhart |
| GIVEN NAMES | Larry |
| FAMILY NAME | Arnhart |
| SIGNATURE | ARNHART L |
| AFFILIATIONS | Northern Illinois University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-9238-1116 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 29 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 85 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 29 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1979 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2021 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Philosophy after Darwin: Classic and Contemporary Readings
Political Questions: Political Philosophy from Plato to Pinker, Fourth Edition
Does Modern Liberalism's Success Deny the Need for Esoteric Writing and Thus Refute Strauss
Arthur Melzer supports Leo Strauss' claim that philosophers have practiced esoteric writing, at least prior to the nineteenth century. But Melzer also raises questions about whether the success of liberalism in rendering esoteric writing unnecessary and undesirable refutes Strauss' teaching that the conflict between philosophy and politics must be permanent. Melzer suggests the possibility that Strauss was a Midwest Straussian, who concluded that…
Rousseau, evolution, and liberalism: A response to Alex Schulman’s ‘Evolution’s republic’
The Grandeur of Biopolitical Science
John Hibbing's essay is a persuasive defense of biopolitical research. I argue, however, that Hibbing does not go far enough in recognizing the broad vision of biopolitical science as a science of political animals. We need to see this as a science that moves through three levels of deep history: the natural history of the political species, the cultural history of a political community, and the biographical history of political actors in a commu…
Can virtue be genetically engineered
We are not born virtuous or vicious. But we are born with innate temperaments and capacities that influence our acquisition of virtue by learning and judgment. As Aristotle says in the Nicomachean Ethics , “virtues arise in us neither by nature nor contrary to nature; but by our nature we can receive them and perfect them by habituation.”
Biopolitical science
This article develops a theoretical framework for biopolitical science as a science of political animals. This science moves through three levels of deep political history: the universal political history of the species, the cultural political history of the group, and the individual political history of animals in the group. To illustrate the particular application of biopolitical science, this essay shows how this science would help us to under…
Existentialist Conservatism
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Darwinian liberal education
War and Human Nature and Darwin and International Relations: On the Evolutionary Origins of War and Ethnic Conflict
War and Human Nature. By Stephen Peter Rosen. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2005. 211p. $29.95. Darwin and International Relations: On the Evolutionary Origins of War and Ethnic Conflict. By Bradley A. Thayer. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2004. 425p. $40.00. Any general theory of politics assumes a theory of human nature. A small but growing number of political scientists have been applying a Darwinian theory of human bio…
Natural Law and the Darwinian Conservatism of Sex Differences
(2005). Natural Law and the Darwinian Conservatism of Sex Differences. Perspectives on Political Science: Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 135-143
Darwinian Natural Right: The Biological Ethics of Human Nature
Nature and Culture in Feminist Biology
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
The New Darwinian Naturalism in Political Theory
There has been a resurgence of Darwinian naturalism in political theory, as manifested in the recent work of political scientists such as Roger Masters, Robert McShea, and James Q. Wilson. They belong to an intellectual tradition that includes not only Charles Darwin but also Aristotle and David Hume. Although most political scientists believe Darwinian social theory has been refuted, their objections rest on three false dichotomies: facts versus…
A Review
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
A Sociobiological Defense of Aristotle's Sexual Politics
This article defends Aristotle and sociobiology against their feminist critics by arguing that a biological conception of human nature rightly understood can support feminism. Aristotle's telelogical biology is not sexist. On the contrary, his biology suggests lines of argument that could vindicate feminism in some form. By arguing for marital friendship as the standard for judging spousal relationships, and by defending family life, and particul…
The Darwinian Biology of Aristotle's Political Animals
Recently, some political scientists, such as James Q. Wilson and Roger Masters, have argued for a Darwinian social theory that would support a revival of Aristotelian naturalism in the social sciences. As a contribution to this project, I argue that Darwinian biology confirms Aristotle's biological understanding of political animals. Thomas Hobbes's criticisms of Aristotle's position rest on dichotomies-nature versus culture, instinct versus lear…
The Natural Science of Ethics: A Response to Three Commentators
I am grateful to the three commentators for raising many good questions that I shall have to ponder for a long time. In this brief response, I can comment on only a few of their points
Feminism, Primatology, and Ethical Naturalism
Primatology supports a feminist ethical naturalism rooted in evolutionary biology. Patriarchal exploitation can be condemned as contrary to women's natural needs and capacities, although prudence is required in recognizing how ecological circumstances limit the range of practicable reform. Donna Haraway's history of primatology, however, illustrates the tendency of some feminists to reject naturalistic realism in favor of nihilistic relativism. S…
The Chicago School of Sociobiology
review of The Evolution of Social Systems, by John Paul Scott
Aristotle, chimpanzees and other political animals
Author's Response
“In the theatre,” Giuseppe Verdi once explained, “long is synonymous with boring. And boring is the worst of all styles.” Those who read scholarly journals must be more patient than opera audiences, and this surely must be true of those who have just read my long article and the nine commentaries. I will not test the limits of that patience, however, by responding at length to all the comments. I am grateful to all the commentators for their inst…
Aristotle's Biopolitics: A Defense of Biological Teleology against Biological Nihilism
Modern Darwinian biology seems to promote nihilism, for it seems to teach that there is no rationally discoverable standard in nature for giving meaning to life. The purpose of this article is to argue for a revival of Aristotle's biological teleology as a reasonable alternative to biological nihilism. The article begins with Edward Wilson's vain struggle against nihilism. Then it is argued that a teleological understanding of nature is assumed i…
Biology and Despotism
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
On Jaffa's Reading Of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
The Darwinian Biology of Aristotle's Political Animals
Recently, some political scientists, such as James Q. Wilson and Roger Masters, have argued for a Darwinian social theory that would support a revival of Aristotelian naturalism in the social sciences. As a contribution to this project, I argue that Darwinian biology confirms Aristotle's biological understanding of political animals. Thomas Hobbes's criticisms of Aristotle's position rest on dichotomies-nature versus culture, instinct versus lear…
The New Darwinian Naturalism in Political Theory
There has been a resurgence of Darwinian naturalism in political theory, as manifested in the recent work of political scientists such as Roger Masters, Robert McShea, and James Q. Wilson. They belong to an intellectual tradition that includes not only Charles Darwin but also Aristotle and David Hume. Although most political scientists believe Darwinian social theory has been refuted, their objections rest on three false dichotomies: facts versus…
A Sociobiological Defense of Aristotle's Sexual Politics
This article defends Aristotle and sociobiology against their feminist critics by arguing that a biological conception of human nature rightly understood can support feminism. Aristotle's telelogical biology is not sexist. On the contrary, his biology suggests lines of argument that could vindicate feminism in some form. By arguing for marital friendship as the standard for judging spousal relationships, and by defending family life, and particul…
Feminism, Primatology, and Ethical Naturalism
Primatology supports a feminist ethical naturalism rooted in evolutionary biology. Patriarchal exploitation can be condemned as contrary to women's natural needs and capacities, although prudence is required in recognizing how ecological circumstances limit the range of practicable reform. Donna Haraway's history of primatology, however, illustrates the tendency of some feminists to reject naturalistic realism in favor of nihilistic relativism. S…
Aristotle, chimpanzees and other political animals
Aristotle's Biopolitics: A Defense of Biological Teleology against Biological Nihilism
Modern Darwinian biology seems to promote nihilism, for it seems to teach that there is no rationally discoverable standard in nature for giving meaning to life. The purpose of this article is to argue for a revival of Aristotle's biological teleology as a reasonable alternative to biological nihilism. The article begins with Edward Wilson's vain struggle against nihilism. Then it is argued that a teleological understanding of nature is assumed i…
Statesmanship as Magnanimity: Classical, Christian & Modern
It may be said that the ethos of our modern age does not encourage the qualities that make for great statesmanship, the kind one would find in antiquity. Professor Arnhart attributes this disposition to the political influence of Christianity which considers it a manifestation of pride, and therefore a cardinal sin, to celebrate the statesman's heroic virtues. He considers the treatment of this subject in classical, Christian, and more recent pol…
Biopolitical science
This article develops a theoretical framework for biopolitical science as a science of political animals. This science moves through three levels of deep political history: the universal political history of the species, the cultural political history of the group, and the individual political history of animals in the group. To illustrate the particular application of biopolitical science, this essay shows how this science would help us to under…
Darwin, Aristotle and the biology of human rights
Natural Law and the Darwinian Conservatism of Sex Differences
(2005). Natural Law and the Darwinian Conservatism of Sex Differences. Perspectives on Political Science: Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 135-143
Rousseau, Biology, and Political Theory
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
On Wood's ‘Social History of Political Theory’ (Volume 6, No. 3, August 1978)
Statesmanship as Magnanimity: Classical, Christian & Modern
It may be said that the ethos of our modern age does not encourage the qualities that make for great statesmanship, the kind one would find in antiquity. Professor Arnhart attributes this disposition to the political influence of Christianity which considers it a manifestation of pride, and therefore a cardinal sin, to celebrate the statesman's heroic virtues. He considers the treatment of this subject in classical, Christian, and more recent pol…
Rousseau, Biology, and Political Theory
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Darwin, Aristotle and the biology of human rights
Biology and Despotism
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
On Jaffa's Reading Of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
Author's Response
“In the theatre,” Giuseppe Verdi once explained, “long is synonymous with boring. And boring is the worst of all styles.” Those who read scholarly journals must be more patient than opera audiences, and this surely must be true of those who have just read my long article and the nine commentaries. I will not test the limits of that patience, however, by responding at length to all the comments. I am grateful to all the commentators for their inst…
Aristotle's Biopolitics: A Defense of Biological Teleology against Biological Nihilism
Modern Darwinian biology seems to promote nihilism, for it seems to teach that there is no rationally discoverable standard in nature for giving meaning to life. The purpose of this article is to argue for a revival of Aristotle's biological teleology as a reasonable alternative to biological nihilism. The article begins with Edward Wilson's vain struggle against nihilism. Then it is argued that a teleological understanding of nature is assumed i…
Aristotle, chimpanzees and other political animals
The Chicago School of Sociobiology
review of The Evolution of Social Systems, by John Paul Scott
The Natural Science of Ethics: A Response to Three Commentators
I am grateful to the three commentators for raising many good questions that I shall have to ponder for a long time. In this brief response, I can comment on only a few of their points
Feminism, Primatology, and Ethical Naturalism
Primatology supports a feminist ethical naturalism rooted in evolutionary biology. Patriarchal exploitation can be condemned as contrary to women's natural needs and capacities, although prudence is required in recognizing how ecological circumstances limit the range of practicable reform. Donna Haraway's history of primatology, however, illustrates the tendency of some feminists to reject naturalistic realism in favor of nihilistic relativism. S…
A Review
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
A Sociobiological Defense of Aristotle's Sexual Politics
This article defends Aristotle and sociobiology against their feminist critics by arguing that a biological conception of human nature rightly understood can support feminism. Aristotle's telelogical biology is not sexist. On the contrary, his biology suggests lines of argument that could vindicate feminism in some form. By arguing for marital friendship as the standard for judging spousal relationships, and by defending family life, and particul…
The Darwinian Biology of Aristotle's Political Animals
Recently, some political scientists, such as James Q. Wilson and Roger Masters, have argued for a Darwinian social theory that would support a revival of Aristotelian naturalism in the social sciences. As a contribution to this project, I argue that Darwinian biology confirms Aristotle's biological understanding of political animals. Thomas Hobbes's criticisms of Aristotle's position rest on dichotomies-nature versus culture, instinct versus lear…
Nature and Culture in Feminist Biology
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
The New Darwinian Naturalism in Political Theory
There has been a resurgence of Darwinian naturalism in political theory, as manifested in the recent work of political scientists such as Roger Masters, Robert McShea, and James Q. Wilson. They belong to an intellectual tradition that includes not only Charles Darwin but also Aristotle and David Hume. Although most political scientists believe Darwinian social theory has been refuted, their objections rest on three false dichotomies: facts versus…
Darwinian Natural Right: The Biological Ethics of Human Nature
Natural Law and the Darwinian Conservatism of Sex Differences
(2005). Natural Law and the Darwinian Conservatism of Sex Differences. Perspectives on Political Science: Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 135-143
Darwinian liberal education
War and Human Nature and Darwin and International Relations: On the Evolutionary Origins of War and Ethnic Conflict
War and Human Nature. By Stephen Peter Rosen. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2005. 211p. $29.95. Darwin and International Relations: On the Evolutionary Origins of War and Ethnic Conflict. By Bradley A. Thayer. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2004. 425p. $40.00. Any general theory of politics assumes a theory of human nature. A small but growing number of political scientists have been applying a Darwinian theory of human bio…
Existentialist Conservatism
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Can virtue be genetically engineered
We are not born virtuous or vicious. But we are born with innate temperaments and capacities that influence our acquisition of virtue by learning and judgment. As Aristotle says in the Nicomachean Ethics , “virtues arise in us neither by nature nor contrary to nature; but by our nature we can receive them and perfect them by habituation.”
Biopolitical science
This article develops a theoretical framework for biopolitical science as a science of political animals. This science moves through three levels of deep political history: the universal political history of the species, the cultural political history of the group, and the individual political history of animals in the group. To illustrate the particular application of biopolitical science, this essay shows how this science would help us to under…
The Grandeur of Biopolitical Science
John Hibbing's essay is a persuasive defense of biopolitical research. I argue, however, that Hibbing does not go far enough in recognizing the broad vision of biopolitical science as a science of political animals. We need to see this as a science that moves through three levels of deep history: the natural history of the political species, the cultural history of a political community, and the biographical history of political actors in a commu…
Philosophy (20 works) · Epistemology (17 works) · Political science (17 works) · Law (16 works) · Sociology (16 works) · Politics (14 works) · Law (12 works) · Philosophy (12 works) · Environmental ethics (8 works) · Computer Science (6 works)