Michael Oakeshott Flashcards
What was Michael Oaksshotts lifespan?
1901 - 1990
What was Oakeshotts book and what did it argue?
“On being Conservative” (1962), it argued that conservatisms “philosophy of imperfection” need not be a “philosophy of pessimism”
How did Oakeshott advance conservative thought?
He argued that “people were fallible but not terrible” and “imperfect but not immoral” and although there cannot be a perfect society humanity can secure both “pleasure and improvement through the humdrum business of everyday life”
What did Oakseshott believe about ideologies with perspectives on how society “should be”?
They produced impatience, intolorence and fustration
How did Oakeshott argue how conservatives view society?
They had a greater appreciation of what already exists
He claimed conservatives “prefer the familiar to the unknown, the actual to the possible, the conveniant to the perfect… present laughter to utopian bliss”
How did Oakeshott view normative politics?
He dismissed normative politics with its “simplistic visions that overlook the complexity of reality” and he supports a pragmatic approach which he called “the art of the possible”
How did oakeshott view wisdom and success?
it was through trial and experience, trial and error rather than abstract philospohy
He said “in a kitchen, cook books are only useful after experience of preparing a meal”
What was another Oakeshott book and what did it argue about the state?
His other book was “The politics of faith and the politics of scepticism” where he argued that the state existed to “prevent the bad rather than to create the good”
What is an Oakeshott quote about government?
“during our lives we all sail a boundless sea with no appointed destination” and the job of hte government is to reflect this by “keeping the ship afloat at all costs” and not “fixating on a port that may not exist”
What did new right thinkers dissagree with Oakeshott about?
They said his philosophy was too fatalistic and underestimates our ability to shape circumstances
Norzik said he was “mentality was lazy” and allowed socialist ideas to advance after 1945
