劉小楓關注西方哲學的知識系統，以施特勞斯為中心，檢討中西古典哲學與現代性問題。在現代性被世俗化的過程當中，施特勞斯被劉小楓路標化，成為一種世俗化的古典哲學引介，施特勞斯標示著回歸的哲思。劉小楓以施特勞斯的哲學與政治的連接關係，從現代感知進行理解，獲取轉回中國古典哲學的西方仲介。由此所形成的系譜問題，是從古老到現代，而觸及至中國的。對劉小楓來說，施特勞斯成為基準範本，而且從政治哲學出發，關乎對於時局的判斷。而路標到底如何指向？劉小楓與施特勞斯對經典文本的細讀，強調重新開啟古今的對話─文本成為解讀古典與現代的過渡。劉小楓的譯介行為，從文化翻譯當中開展出哲學問題。藉由對話，劉小楓譯介施特勞斯成為自身哲學的路標，並以此企圖成就重新詮釋中國古典哲學與新儒家的契機。

Liu Xiaofeng focuses on the intellectual system of Western philosophy and intends to discuss Chinese and the Western classical philosophy and their modernity issues by placing Leo Strauss at the center. In the process of secularizing modernity, Liu regards Strauss as a pathmark and the later becomes an agent of secularized classical philosophy. Based on Strauss' connection between philosophy and politics, Liu forms a modernized viewpoint to obtain a Western agent to return to Chinese classical philosophy and in the end, marks the genealogy from classical philosophy to its modern form and its application in China. For Liu Xiaofeng, starting from Strauss's political philosophy, Strauss becomes a standard model to understand the contemporary era. Both Liu's and Strauss's close reading on classic texts emphasize on opening a dialogue between the past and the present time. Texts become the bridge of deciphering classic and modern era. Liu's translation of Strauss unfolds philosophical issues during the process of cultural translation. By means of such dialogue, translating Strauss becomes Liu's pathmark and an opportunity to re-interpret Chinese classical philosophy and New Confucianism.