Burke Flashcards
(20 cards)
Domestic reform
In favor of
India (East India Co)
Reform to have Gov run
Ireland
Favor of rights
American colonies
Favor restore Englishman’s rights
Reasons rev. change bad
Jeopardy
-ex. more freedom, but poverty
Futility
-end up with nothing
Perversity
- opposite of what desire
- b/c unexpected consequences
Key arguments
Mutual interdependence Progress Reform, not revolution (SLOW) Inherit gov. (not creating new) ->innovation- selfish and narrow view Reason and rationality (no trust) -cannot account for everything
French Revolution
Lawyers lead
- self-interest
- counter weight with old aristocracy (conservative defense)
Rid of king because of misconduct
-needs to be serious misconduct
British monarchy (not choice of ppl)
More power when in favor
Divine right vs. election by ppl
Tradition
Reasoning of past
W/o traditions and customs -> power and violence
You belong
to the group (represent)
Inheritance is more imp
To the poor!
If large safe, then small safe
The real revolution is in
Opinions (not always better)
Religion controls
The leaders/authorities
-bound by religious morals
Wealth respected by wealth
Church run by gov.
Public debt
Against
Rationality (rights of men) v. Nature of men (religion)
Rationality (rights of men) v. Nature of men (religion)
Complexity of picking and choosing
Extremes v. better to compromise
Inhumane v. gentle
Hypothetical v. reality
Presumptuous v. tradition
Most conservative
Lower middle class
Burke summary
Philosophical conservatism
Those with property should govern (don’t need to take other’s land)
GRADUAL change is good
->fast change: blind spots, human wisdom not good enough reason
—>keep traditions (rationality/wisdom)
->good to change, to stay the same
Society is good
STABILITY
Those with property and status are more imp
French rev. moving too fast
Community is more imp., more rational than an individual
Just religion Religious animals No separation of Church and State Controls rich and gov. Natural law thinker (conservative) ->natural rights cannot be overridden by customs or traditions (Ireland) ->only time for big change
Divine right
- There is a God
2. God put them in office
Def. Amer Rev by
Defending rights
India
English gov.
