Pragmatism

Question 1

What is meant by pragatism?

Answer 1

An approach which evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the sucess of their practical application. (rather than principles or ideological beliefs)

Question 2

Whilst there are some areas of disagreement, particularly from new right over…

Answer 2

The extent and nature of change or how fast change should take place.

Question 3

Main argument of the pragmatism essay?

It is a stronger argument to suggest…

Answer 3

Conservatives agree to a large extent with each other over the concept of pragmatism.

Question 4

Two main points of the pragmatism essay?

Answer 4

1. Favour pragmatism because of human flaws
2. We give some freedom to a state which ensures the stablity of society.

Question 5

Two main counterpoints of the pragmatism essay?

Answer 5

1. Extent of human flaws.
2. How much involvement the state should have in ensuring stability

Question 6

Which conservatives favour pragmatism due to the flaws of humans?

Answer 6

Traditional-Hobbes- life in the state of nature is ‘nasty, brutish and short’- Burke- we are not guided by reason.
Oakeshott- to be conservative is to prefer to try the tried rather than the untried.

Question 7

Which conservatives reason that we give away a degree of freedom to the state to ensure stability of society?

Answer 7

Burke, Oakeshott, Hobbes- society mitigates imperfection through pragmatism, heirachy and tradition.
-belief in anomie +organic society- need state heirarchy to ensure strength and stability- Oakeshott-society will develop traditions over time. Without this chaos.

Question 8

Which conservatives disagree over the extent of the negativity of human nature?

Answer 8

Neo liberals- Rand+ Nozick- humans are capable of rational thought and do things for self- interest not because they are flawed.
Oakshott- noisy foolish and flawed’- irrational- just need authority- don’t like change.
Burke- less bleak than Hobbes -people make mistakes unintentionally, we are not individualistic and ruthless as Nozick suggests.

Humans are not incapable of making rational choices.

Question 9

Which conservatives disagree over how much involvement the state should have in ensuring stability?

Answer 9

Neo Liberals- encroaches freedom-Ayn Rand + Nozick- undermining atomisitc society and creating a dependency culute.
Neo conservatives- disagreed with the level of heirarchy (but did agree with dependency culture).