Posted on 02/20/2020 8:18:30 AM PST by SeekAndFind
What is conservatism? It is a question that could be answered a thousand different ways. On the modern American political scene, conservatism is often portrayed as outdated, offensive, and inconsistent with the rapidly changing times.
Yet, at its core, conservatism is still a practical, applicable, and logical political philosophy — a philosophy deeply concerned with maintaining what is good in society while rejecting dangerous and idiotic pipe dreams from the Left.
The most convincing argument for conservatism was presented by 20th-century British philosopher Michael Oakeshott. Oakeshott presents a conservatism that seems easy to accept and understand. The basis of Oakeshott's argument for conservatism is the idea of familiarity.
In his landmark work, On Being Conservative, Oakeshott writes, "To be conservative is to be disposed to think and behave in certain manners; is to prefer certain kinds of conduct and certain conditions of human circumstances[.] ... [T]hey [conservative values] center upon a propensity to use and enjoy what is available ... rather than what was or what may be." In other words, to be conservative means to prefer certain belief systems and styles of living and human behavior more than other types. It also means to appreciate what exists in the current social system without a pining for a future that might never exist.
A rudimentary view on Oakeshott's conservatism is that it simply prefers the familiar over the unfamiliar and the proven good over unproven potential, or, as he says it, "present laughter to utopian bliss." Oakeshott's conservatism is an appreciation for the good that presently exists in the world.
At the most basic level of human life, there are preferences for food, music, and types of employment. On a more political level, one might prefer to maintain the good aspects of a society, such as basic freedoms
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Seek the truth. Once it’s found and accepted you are a conservative.
Job #1: Destroy the left-wing Media
Job #2: Populate the Federal bunch with Constitutionalists [Federalist Society members are a good start]
Job #1: Destroy the left-wing Media
Job #2: Populate the Federal bench with Constitutionalists [Federalist Society members are a good start]
Conservatism is a great way to win presidential elections.
Trump proved that.
Basically, the grown-up in the room that says “No.”.
Here is an excellent description and disucssion of conservatism as a philosophy:
https://kirkcenter.org/conservatism/ten-conservative-principles/
As Edmund Burke once said, conservatims “combines a siposition to preserve with an ability to reform.”
Conservatism above all is pragmatism. Respect reality, stick with what has worked in the past, look before you jump, be suspicious of radical changes but be open to selectively try new things.
It accepts human nature imperfect as it is and makes the best of it, doesn’t try to mold people by force into perfect robots like the progressives and marxists are constantly doing.
It believes in the pursuit of personal happiness, and thus personal freedom AND responsibility, which are a prerequisite for being able to pursue happiness.
It’s not a formulaic ideology.
I had never heard of Oakeshott before, but he seems to capture my own understang of what conservatism is all about.
I’ll have to explore him further. Thanks for posting it.
That's a good article, thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.