2. What are the core ideas and principles of conservatism Part 1

Question 1

how do conservatives believe humans are flawed psychologically

Answer 1

Psychologically:
- People want to feel safe and to know their role in society more than they want the paralysing freedom of complete choice and unpredictability

Question 2

how do conservatives believe humans are flawed morally

Answer 2

Morally:
- People will always prove to be as selfish and greedy as they believe other to be, and need a strong system of law and order to restrain their impulses

Question 3

how do conservatives believe humans are flawed intellectually

Answer 3

• People believe their actions to be rational, but they are often influenced by irrational impulses, and fail to see how complicated the world really is

Question 4

how do conservatives view tradition psychologically

Answer 4

• Long-lasting traditions remind us that, despite the potential chaos of the world, it is unlikely to be radically altered next week, next month, next year…

Question 5

how do conservatives view tradition morally

Answer 5

• National myths, manners and conventions, which we respect because they are so well established and engrained, are as important as criminal laws

Question 6

how do conservatives view tradition intellectually

Answer 6

• Would a new constitutional settlement, which appealed on a rational level but lacked history and tradition, inspire and appeal to people in the same way