Sharpening the Conservative Mind. The American Right's Reception and Reconstruction of Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind"

Table of Contents

• I. American Conservatism from the End of the Second World War to 1987
• II. The American Right's Reception of The Closing of the American Mind upon Publication
• III. American Conservatism from 1987 until Today
• IV. The American Right's Reception of The Closing of the American Mind until Today
• V. Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This work explores the reception and reconstruction of Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" within the context of American conservatism. The primary goal is to examine how conservative thinkers engaged with Bloom's critiques of higher education and American culture, and how their responses shaped the trajectory of conservative thought.

• The evolution of American conservatism
• The impact of "The Closing of the American Mind" on conservative intellectual circles
• The role of higher education in shaping American society
• The influence of cultural and moral relativism on American thought
• The relationship between conservatism and intellectual and cultural elites

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter I: Provides a historical overview of American conservatism from the end of World War II to 1987, highlighting key figures and intellectual currents that influenced Bloom's work.
• Chapter II: Examines the immediate reception of "The Closing of the American Mind" by conservative intellectuals and institutions upon its publication in 1987.
• Chapter III: Discusses the development of American conservatism from 1987 to the present day, considering how the ideas and debates surrounding Bloom's book contributed to its trajectory.
• Chapter IV: Analyzes the continuing reception of "The Closing of the American Mind" within the American Right from 1987 until today, exploring how conservative thinkers have engaged with Bloom's arguments and legacy.

Keywords

The key terms and concepts explored in this work include: American conservatism, Allan Bloom, "The Closing of the American Mind," higher education, cultural relativism, moral relativism, intellectual elites, conservative intellectuals, neoconservatism, and the influence of Western philosophy on American thought.