10.1 Conservatism core ideas - Human imperfection Flashcards
What did Thomas Hobbes argue about humans in his work ‘Leviathan’ (1651)?
Hobbes argued that humans are imperfect and ruthlessly self-interested
What were the 3 distinct categories Noel O’Sullivan argued conservatives view human imperfection?
- Morally imperfect: humans are selfish creatures
- Intellectually imperfect: Reality is beyond rational understanding therefore abstract ideas or theories will always be flawed
- Psychologically imperfect: humans are security driven and socially dependent, we rely on tradition and culture for an identity
What was Hobbes’ ‘state of nature’?
The human species’ natural state - a violent, fearful place where humans are in never-ending conflict as they pursue their selfish desires
What does Hobbes’ ‘state of nature’ describe?
Society before the existence of the state, where individuals live without laws
What did Hobbes describe life in the ‘state of nature’ as?
‘Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’
Why did Hobbes think humans were not wholly irrational?
They would recognise the ‘state of nature’ as hell on earth and would realise that they needed protecting from themselves
What is a Hobbes quote about peace and self-preservation?
‘the first and fundamental law of Nature, which is to seek peace and follow it’
What did Edmund Burke agree with Hobbes on?
That humans are imperfect
What did Burke not think about humans which Hobbes did?
That they are ruthlessly individualistic; rather they are naturally communal, as their imperfection compels them to band together
What is an Edmund Burke quote about decision making based on rationalistic ideas?
‘Politics ought to be adjusted not to human reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part’
What did Michael Oakeshott argue that humans are?
‘Fragile and fallible’, but capable of benevolence
What did Oakeshott argue about society, similarly to Burke?
That society is organic and consists of intricate customs and traditions that provide consolation, comfort and happiness
What does Oakeshott argue is unattainable?
The nirvana promised by utopian societies
Why does Oakeshott argue that a nirvana is unattainable?
Perfection cannot be created by imperfect creatures
What is Michael Oakeshott’s ‘politics of faith’?
Decision making is grounded in empiricism and not rationalism
