6.4 Conservative terms

Question 1

1

Hierarchy

Answer 1

society is naturally organised in fixed tiers, where one’s position is not based on individual ability

Question 2

2

Authority

Answer 2

• idea that people in higher positions in society are best able to make decisions in the interests of the whole society
• authority thus comes from above

Question 3

2

Atomism

Answer 3

• society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals
• also known as egoistical individualism

Question 4

1

Noblesse oblige

Answer 4

The duty of the wealthy and privileged to look after those less fortunate

Question 5

2

Permissiveness

Answer 5

• belief that people should make their own moral choices
• suggests there is no objective right and wrong

Question 6

2

Human imperfection

Answer 6

• The traditional conservative belief that humans are flawed in a number of ways
• makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves

Question 7

Laissez-faire

Answer 7

minimal government intervention in business and the state

Question 8

1

Empiricism

Answer 8

knowledge comes from real experience and not from abstract theories