One might object that this description of the theoretical position is that of actual wisdom rather than philosophy, which remains erotic and
zetetic. However, if we take seriously Hegel's claim to have brought philosophy nearer "to the goal where it can lay aside the title of 'love of knowing' and be actual knowing," then he himself announces a break with the philosophic tradition.
The 'method,' or 'practice,' of the Socratic elenchus-dialectic presupposes a
zetetic view of philosophy that instantiates the 'process of seeking truth' as a non-formal way of learning or Being-educated (finite human transcendence), which unfolds within a distinct ontological context grounded in and bounded and structured by the horizons of finitude.
Again, we saw narratives of conspiracy (the moon and sun are 'Nasa holograms'), the use of expert-sounding or arcane language (i.e., '
Zetetic astronomy'), as well as an entire community affirming such beliefs.
In the case of Origen, the alleged dichotomy does not take into account his heuristic method, well known and overtly defended by the likes of Athanasius--who regarded (and quoted) Origen as an authority in support of the Nicene faith--and Gregory Nyssen and Gregory Nazianzen, who deemed Origen's "
zetetic" method (i.e., philosophical investigation or zetesis applied to Christian exegesis and theology) the only one admissible in matters left unclarified by Scripture and tradition.
The philosopher's way of life is, to him, a
zetetic trek to an unknown destination from whence one will probably never return.
To be clear, Strauss takes the Republic's criticism of the limits of the city to show the unsurpassable, timeless disjunction between philosophy, with its '
zetetic' openness to questioning all established certainties, and 'the city' as such.
Kass is trying to take "the leap" that Strauss, who remained a "
zetetic skeptic" like Socrates, seemed unable to take.