Consevatism - Empericism

Question 1

What is empiricism?

Answer 1

Empiricism is a scientific and philosophical approach which argues that we can only get knowledge from experience

Question 2

How do conservatives see empiricism?

Answer 2

• empiricism opposes the idea that we can get knowledge from theoretical concepts
• empiricism supports the Conservative belief in tradition, as it uses the past as a source of wisdom

Question 3

How does empiricism relate to organic society?

Answer 3

• empiricism supports the concept of organic society as institutions and practices have evolved over time to best suit the needs of society
• we can only have knowledge of things we have seen or experienced- therefore the impact of ideas like liberal rationality and socialism are unknowable