Maurice Auerbach

Dr. Maurice S. Auerbach, age 85, passed away on April 2, 2020, in Queens, New York, one of the many victims there of the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Auerbach had taught politics and political philosophy to university students in the New York City metropolitan area for nearly four decades, preceding retirement. He taught at several schools, including the graduate program in Liberal Studies at the New School for Social Research, and at both St. John’s University and St. Francis College. He arrived in New York after completing his undergraduate and early graduate studies at the University of Chicago (A.B., 1958, and A.M., 1959). His doctorate was from the New School (PhD, 1975).

Each of his degrees was in Political Science, but his approach to and perspectives on “the science of politics” were far richer than the profession’s standard fare. While at Chicago he had studied with Leo Strauss, the internationally acclaimed political philosopher whose studies were notoriously complex but uniquely insightful in uncovering classically probing and rich insights into human affairs and restoring them to their rightful seriousness.

Auerbach once described, in a review article, what may be taken also as the focus of his life’s work: “Political society is founded on, and sustained by, our opinions about the way we should live, about the just and the unjust. [Reflection on the questions raised by our opinions]…not only prepares the potential philosopher but educates the citizens and statesmen in the natural end of political activity—the intermediate end of human life—virtue.” For those who knew him, Auerbach’s studies and teaching encompassed virtually the entire history of Western thought on politics and political philosophy, particularly its bearing on living life well in the American republic and the midst of Modernity.

Auerbach’s grasp of the history and views of these fundamental questions, supplemented by his own elaborations and further developments regarding them, were the stuff of near-endless delight and learning to those fortunate friends who shared his company during long dinner-discussions and walks and phone conversations over more than 50 years. The tenor and direction of his enormously engaging scholarship is typified by a few of his writings: “The Political Thought of Spinoza” (master’s thesis), “Jonathan Swift and the Quarrel with Modern Politics” (doctoral dissertation), “The Philosophical Politics of Leo Strauss” (in Teaching Political Science, v12 n2, 1985), and “Carl Schmitt’s Quest for the Political” (in Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy, vol 21, no 2, Winter 1993-94). Auerbach served for many years on the editorial board of Interpretation, as well as occasional guest editor for other journals, among them the New School’s Social Research.

Among the many thinkers he considered, Swift may have anticipated Auerbach’s own inclinations and manner most closely. Swift condemned how “modern politics” so fundamentally distorts both thought and action, and clearly preferred the dignity, nobility, and profundity of history’s “ancients” and their grasp of philosophy and politics. Swift wrote not only with genius but with wit and biting sarcasm—traits that shone in Auerbach.

Auerbach's reservations about the social, political, and theoretical conventions of our time were profound and, among friends, expressed candidly and vehemently. On such occasions he would sometimes share his passion for classical music, particularly opera. On every possible occasion he would turn talk to one or both of probably his most abiding political concerns: the freedom and virtue of Americans, and the life of the Jewish people whom he also loved. And no conversation, on nearly any topic, went far before he would raise examples from his prodigious recall of political and cultural facts or events, cited effortlessly from anywhere along the ancient-to-contemporary timeline—drawing parallels and “connecting the dots” with uncanny genius.

Not surprisingly, Maurice Auerbach did not reveal himself easily, and chose friendships sparingly. His friends delighted in his company and always left it both bettered and eager to return to the conversation.

Yet suddenly, and striking grief into friends’ hearts, the conversation has ended. And with it the joy of his presence, with his peculiar wry chuckle, at some offered insight or remark, and that slightly mischievous glance always looking for the others’ response—always seeking the sequel or next thought.

Maurice Shor Auerbach was born February 9, 1935, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was the son of Bennett and Irene Auerbach, both Russian immigrants to America. Following good family years at home, Auerbach left for college and his life of study and teaching; he returned home, or to varied locations where his siblings and other family had moved, for extended visits in most years. His love of theater and music, which had developed at home, spanned his lifetime—as it happened, he attended an opera, which he praised for its power in limning aspects of man’s spirit, just days before being hospitalized. His family loved his visits, and warmly recalls his special way of telling stories from his childhood and family experiences.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bennett and Irene; his brother, Leonard; and sister, Rita Berman. He will be truly missed by his nieces, nephews, family, friends, and his cat Venus.

Arrangements are under the care of Sinai Chapels, Queens, New York, with interment in the company of his family at Moore Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. A private memorial and celebratory dinner with family and friends will be convened at a later date.