5

Leo Strauss held the dispute between Athens and Jerusalem, that is, between Reason and Revelation, to be the highest and deepest theme in the history of the West. Thus, he characterizes Christianity as a “synthesis” between Reason and Revelation, a synthesis in which both elements are fated to lose their purity or authenticity. Drawing on Augustine and Pascal, this article questions the pertinence of the notion of “synthesis” in this context, and makes the case for preferring that of “mediation.”