Michael Oakeshott 1901-90 Flashcards
book
on being conservative” 1962, made the argument that a “philosophy of imperfection” need not be a “philosophy of pessimism “or indeed unhappiness
how did he qualify the view of human nature associated with Hobbes? How did he describe human nature to be?
Most men and women were” fallible but not terrible” and “ imperfect but not immoral”. Though incapable of the “ perfect SoC ‘s” linked with other ideologies, humanity would still able to secure “ both pleasure and improvement through the humdrum business of everyday life”
how did he try to make conservatism seem more optimistic?
claimed that conservatives, who are reconciled to human imperfection have a greater appreciation and pleasure in life that exists already.
what did ideologies such as liberalism and socialism do?
ideologies such as socialism and liberalism with a clear view of how SoC “ should be” produced impatience, intolerance and frustration.
quote on appreciating what you have
” prefer the familiar to the unknown, the actual to the possible, the convenient to the perfect, present laughter to utopian bliss”
why was he dismissive of “normative politics”?
” simplistic visions that overlook the complexity of reality”, Oakeshott also affirmed the merits of an empirical and pragmatic approach to both politics and life generally- what might be termed “ the art of the possible
how was wisdom achieved?
experience, trial and error, rather than abstract philosophy. “ in a kitchen, cookbooks are only useful after experience of preparing a meal”
how did these perspectives on human nature inform Oakeshott view of the state?
In “The politics of faith and the politics of scientism”, he argued the state existed to “prevent the bad rather than create the good”, restating that the best things in life normally emerge from routine
metaphor for the job of the government?
“we all sail a boundless sea, with no appointed destination” the job of the government is “ keeping the shit afloat at all costs using experience to negotiate every storm”
