Elias Neibart | Emory University (original) (raw)
Drafts by Elias Neibart
A draft of my thoughts on Locke
Thoughts on Kierkegaard and Antigone, 2017
Although writing nearly 700 years apart, both Plato and Saint Augustine of Hippo addressed the re... more Although writing nearly 700 years apart, both Plato and Saint Augustine of Hippo addressed the relationship between the intelligible and sensible world. Specifically, both philosophers sought to uncover how we know what we know: can we trust and derive truth from what we see and sense, or must we look past the sensible world, and derive truth from the immaterial, incorporeal world? And, on top of that, by what means and through what processes can we uncover truth? In Plato's Republic and Augustine's Confessions, both philosophers address and explain their positions on these foundational epistemological questions. The following will (1) explicate Plato and Augustine's positions, (2) compare and contrast the two positions and (3) address which position I find more compelling and tenable.
Climbing Up Diotimas Ladder
Bail Reform and Heidegger, 2019
Gluacon's Challenge, 2019
Papers by Elias Neibart
Our Mixed Regime
How can we characterize American government? Do Americans live in a republic, a democracy, or som... more How can we characterize American government? Do Americans live in a republic, a democracy,
or something entirely different? The following will engage with the relevant historical, political,
and philosophical record to answer this question. To address this question, scholars have
traditionally consulted both modern philosophy—particularly the writings of Charles de
Montesquieu—and the writings of the individuals who crafted and codified the United States
Constitution. After doing so, such scholars have concluded that the United States is simply a
republic. The following, however, will argue that such a characterization is incomplete and, in
some ways, inaccurate. In order to properly and fully understand American government, we must
look not only towards modern philosophy and the historical incidents leading up to the
Constitution’s ratification; instead, we must also engage with the ancient doctrine of the mixed
regime—promulgated by thinkers like Aristotle and Polybius. Such a scholarly endeavor is
necessary because the following will demonstrate that those who drafted and ratified the
Constitution were motivated by two primary goals: (1) guaranteeing individual liberty and (2)
promoting state longevity and security. The prior of these goals was of particular interest to
modern philosophers and the latter was addressed and central to the doctrines of ancient thinkers.
This paper will demonstrate that a holistic approach to defining American government requires
engaging with and consulting both philosophical schools of thought. And, ultimately, the
following will show that American government can be defined and characterized as a mixed
regime, for it mixes both modern and ancient political and philosophical doctrines, and, in doing
so, accomplishes two distinct yet wholly important state objectives.
A draft of my thoughts on Locke
Thoughts on Kierkegaard and Antigone, 2017
Although writing nearly 700 years apart, both Plato and Saint Augustine of Hippo addressed the re... more Although writing nearly 700 years apart, both Plato and Saint Augustine of Hippo addressed the relationship between the intelligible and sensible world. Specifically, both philosophers sought to uncover how we know what we know: can we trust and derive truth from what we see and sense, or must we look past the sensible world, and derive truth from the immaterial, incorporeal world? And, on top of that, by what means and through what processes can we uncover truth? In Plato's Republic and Augustine's Confessions, both philosophers address and explain their positions on these foundational epistemological questions. The following will (1) explicate Plato and Augustine's positions, (2) compare and contrast the two positions and (3) address which position I find more compelling and tenable.
Climbing Up Diotimas Ladder
Bail Reform and Heidegger, 2019
Gluacon's Challenge, 2019
Our Mixed Regime
How can we characterize American government? Do Americans live in a republic, a democracy, or som... more How can we characterize American government? Do Americans live in a republic, a democracy,
or something entirely different? The following will engage with the relevant historical, political,
and philosophical record to answer this question. To address this question, scholars have
traditionally consulted both modern philosophy—particularly the writings of Charles de
Montesquieu—and the writings of the individuals who crafted and codified the United States
Constitution. After doing so, such scholars have concluded that the United States is simply a
republic. The following, however, will argue that such a characterization is incomplete and, in
some ways, inaccurate. In order to properly and fully understand American government, we must
look not only towards modern philosophy and the historical incidents leading up to the
Constitution’s ratification; instead, we must also engage with the ancient doctrine of the mixed
regime—promulgated by thinkers like Aristotle and Polybius. Such a scholarly endeavor is
necessary because the following will demonstrate that those who drafted and ratified the
Constitution were motivated by two primary goals: (1) guaranteeing individual liberty and (2)
promoting state longevity and security. The prior of these goals was of particular interest to
modern philosophers and the latter was addressed and central to the doctrines of ancient thinkers.
This paper will demonstrate that a holistic approach to defining American government requires
engaging with and consulting both philosophical schools of thought. And, ultimately, the
following will show that American government can be defined and characterized as a mixed
regime, for it mixes both modern and ancient political and philosophical doctrines, and, in doing
so, accomplishes two distinct yet wholly important state objectives.