The chapter concerning modern natural right in Leo Strauss’Natural Right and History represents one of the most controversial interpretations of Locke’s political teaching. The historical narrative of Strauss’ work seems to underplay some aspects of Locke’s thought, which this paper tries to analyze. §1 presents a brief resume of the main critiques which have been raised against Strauss’ interpretation. §§2-3 address the alternative between reason and revelation and the position assumed by Strauss’ Locke; §§4-5 reflects on the moderate character of Locke’s rationalism. The purpose is to show to what extent Strauss’ Locke could be regarded as a modern ally against the danger posed by relativism in contemporary political thought.
