human imperfection

Question 1

human imperfection is a key principle of con thought arguing that

Answer 1

humans are flawed which makes them incapable of making good decisions for themselves , very different from liberals optimistic interpretation

Question 2

this idea can be first seen in Hobbes ‘ leviathan ‘ which set out the belief that in the absence of a strong state , human life would inevitably

Answer 2

fall into a state of conflict / competition for resources and power
it would be “ solitary , poor , nasty , brutish and short “

Question 3

Hobbes view on human imperfection was due to his belief that humans are ruthless , calculating and inherently driven buy their basic interests for survival and self interest thus leading to

Answer 3

them conflicting with each other in the absence of a strong state

Question 4

Hobbes view in ‘ leviathan ‘ set the foundation for cons beliefs in the necessity of

Answer 4

guiding authority to maintain order and stability

Question 5

cons believed that human nature and imperfection was a constant and that politicians therefore

Answer 5

need to accommodate it rather then they to alter it

Question 6

cons identidfied three main aspects of human imperfection ;

Answer 6

psychological
moral
intellectual

Question 7

psychological imperfection

Answer 7

cons posits humans are influenced by their emotions fears and desires , rather than by logic and reason like liberals suggest
- as a result cons argue the importance of established norms and traditions , that help guide decision making

Question 8

moral imperfection

Answer 8

cons maintain that humans are naturally inclined towards self interest and can act morally , especially in the pursuit of personal gain or survival , this can lead to actions that harm others or disrupt social harmony .
- cons thus stress the role of strong institutions and legal frameworks to install values to curb immoral behaviour .

Question 9

intellectual imperfection

Answer 9

cons argue that human beings have limitations in their understanding and capacity to rationalise.icnludes recognising the complexity and interconnectivity of societal systems as well as foreseeing the long term consequences of actions and policies. cons are wary of radical changes or the implementation of theoretically perfect but untested ideas.
prefer incremental reforms based on empirical evidence and tradition , a pragmatic approach to social and political change that respects the complexity and unpredictability of human society

Question 10

the view of human imperfection significantly influences conservative perspectives on the

Answer 10

state economy and society

Question 11

the view on human imperfection underpins their support for a strong but responsible state which is seen as

Answer 11

necessary to provide the guidance , authority and structure needed to counteract these human flaws

Question 12

in the economy this translates to a preference for the proven and traditional

Answer 12

capitalist system over radical or untested theories

Question 13

in society it translates to the cons caution towards rapid social change and preference for

Answer 13

gradual , organic development for respects tradition

Question 14

thus for cons it also also justifies conservative endorsement of hierarchy and paternalism as they believe that natural human imperfections neccestiate a

Answer 14

structured social order where guidance and leadership from established authorities or elites help maintain stability and moral direction in society

Question 15

traditional conservatisms interpretation of human imperfection is deeply influenced by

Answer 15

Christian teachings about original sin and ability of man

Question 16

traditional cons perspective was central to work of Burke who emphasised the need for

Answer 16

moral guidance and structure in society provided by long established institutions such as the church which he viewed as crucial in instilling values and moral education

Question 17

traditional cons believed that this inherent human imperfection necessitates a

Answer 17

stable hierarchal social order

Question 18

traditional cons argued that people are not inherently equipped to make decisions sole based on

Answer 18

reason and individual judgement thus requiring the guidance and authority of customs and established institutions

Question 19

traditional con Burke in ‘ reflections on the revolution in France ‘ wrote

Answer 19

” men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites “

Question 20

traditional cons weren’t as pessimistic about human nature as Hobbes and believed that these imperfections can be

Answer 20

mitigated through the influence of tradition and proper guidance

Question 21

this perspective from trad cons represents a slight departure from Hobbes bleak view of human nature as

Answer 21

irrevocable self interested and conflict prone in the absence of a strong state

Question 22

traditional cons believed that humans are imperfect but their nature can be shaped positively within

Answer 22

the right social and moral framework

Question 23

traditional con Oakeshott described human behaviour as

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” noisy , foolish and flawed “
- a less pessimistic view than Hobbes

Question 24

Oakeshott’s description suggested that while humans are fallible and often intelectually and psychological imperfect their

Answer 24

actions and nature are not inherently morally evil , malevolent or destructive

Question 25

this is why traditional cons placed great emphasis on the

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civilissing influence of institutions and “ little plantoons “ including the family church and communities

Question 26

traditional con Oakeshott believed that human nature is fallible but can be

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” benign and benevolant “
when driven by the right customs and institutions

Question 27

one nations cons view on human nature is largely consistent with that of traditional cons , they acknowledge the inherent imperfections in human nature recognising that

Answer 27

individuals are driven by a mix of self interest , emotions and limited rationality

Question 28

thus view leads to one nation cons strongly supporting paternalism in governance , they believe the state should act in a

Answer 28

protective manner , supporting citizens who are vulnerable to the pitfalls of their own imperfections
- seen as a way to maintain social harmony and stability while guiding society towards moral and rational decisions

Question 29

one development that can be noted is one nations cons recognition that humans need a certain Lebel off practical support in an

Answer 29

industrialised capitalist economy that creates inequalities and risks poor living and working conditions

Question 30

one nation cons views is represented in the Disraeli government’s enactment of social refroms such as the public health act 1875 and the artisans and labourers dwellings improvement act of 1875 which

Answer 30

improved public health and sanitary conditions in towns and cities

Question 31

one nation con Disraeli is reported to have said

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” the health of the people is really the foundation upon which all their happiness and all their power as a state depended “

Question 32

the new rights interpretation of human nature is very different to that traditional and one nation cons , they don’t see humans as imperfect instead they see them as

Answer 32

rational and self interred and see this is a positive thing that creates the potential for self governance and self improvement

Question 33

the new right believes that individuals are inherently driven to pursue their own goals and interests rather than seeing this self interest in a

Answer 33

negative light , they believe it is beneficial for society as a whole and that the state shouldn’t get in the way of rational self interest.

Question 34

therefore the new right strongly disagree with the traditional and one nation cons beliefs in paternalism and that people need moral and intellectual guidance , instead they out greater emphasis

Answer 34

on the capabilities and personal responsibility of individuals

Question 35

the new rights belief fundamentally shapers their views on how the state and economy should operate as well as the belief that society is and shouts be atomsistic , their emphasis on

Answer 35

individual self interest and autonomy leads to support for a limited role of the state in both the economy and social affairs

Question 36

the new right argues that excessive state intervention not only undermines individual freedom and repsonibilty but also impedes

Answer 36

the efficient function of the market

Question 37

the new right believe the state should primarily exist to protect individual rights , enforce contracted and ensure national security rather than to

Answer 37

redistribute wealth or provide a board range of social services

Question 38

the new right belief that government intervention and social welfare systems create

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dependency , discourage self reliance and infringe upon individual freedoms

Question 39

new right rand argued that self interest not only benefitted society but was a moral imperative , in her philosophy of objectivism rand positioned that

Answer 39

pursuing ones own happiness and interests is the highest moral pursuit a viewpoint that fundamentally opposes the notion of self sacrifice for collective goals

Question 40

new right rand also opposed personal altruism which she viewed as the moral obligation to place the needs of others above ones own interests , she argued that altruism wether done by individuals or the state diminishes

Answer 40

individual freedom and successes by creating an unhealthy dependence in those who are the recounts of such altrustiric actions

Question 41

new right rand in ‘ the virtue of selfishness ‘ stated

Answer 41

” the man who attempts to live for others is a dependent . he is a parasite in motive and makes parasites of those he serves “

Question 42

the new rights beliefs about human nature are articulated in nozicks theory of self ownership , this asserts that

Answer 42

individuals have sovereignty over their bodies and the fruits of their labour
as a result , individuals should be free to choose how they use their abilities and resources without coercive interference from the state

Question 43

new right nozick argued that this was a fundamental principle of justice forming the basis of all individual rights , he argued that

Answer 43

since individuals own themselves, they inherently own the labour they produce and by extension the property they acquire through their own labour

Question 44

nozicks theory of self ownership underlines the new rights opposition to redistribute polices as such actions are seen as

Answer 44

infringements on personal library and property rights

Question 45

according to new right nozick respecting self ownerships means that any exchange or transfer of property must be voluntary based on

Answer 45

free consent and any coercion or redistribution by the state fundamentally infringes upon this basic human right

Question 46

new right nozick in ‘ anarchy state and utopia ‘ wrote

Answer 46

” indviduals have rights and there are things no person or group may do to them “