Burke Defense Of Prejudice Essay

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Burke, throughout his philosophy, remained a firm advocate of evolution over revolution. In spite of his advocacy for unreflective prejudice, it would be inaccurate to suggest that Burke’s concepts did not support change. Although he viewed Enlightenment philosophy as subservient to an unreflective prejudice of the past and that: wisdom cannot be subject to rationality, Burke viewed the state as an evolving nation.. There is emphasis within his work that wisdom and power should carry with them the traditions of the past; society consists of those who are living, those who are dead and those who are yet to be born (A. Heywood 2012:69).The defence of prejudice therefore is necessary to uphold the traditions of the past, without which human nature, due to its inherent …show more content…

There is the argument that the aristocracy’s interests identify with the general good of society rather than self promotion or the pursuit of power (G. Williams 1991: 99). It is clear that Burke, throughout Reflections scorns Enlightenment philosophy pursuing rationality and liberty. In a letter to Jean-Francois Depont, Burke defends his own opinion of freedom: ‘It is not solitary, unconnected, individual, selfish liberty.’(C Cruise O’Brien 1992: 208) Such an opinion of liberty is reflected throughout his philosophy as a reaction against the Enlightenment. Burke saw the results of the Enlightenment as an unjust break from the natural hierarchy of society, essential for competent government. Consequently Burke, as evidenced by the French Revolution, believed that the removal of unreflective prejudice for the rationality and liberty promoted by renaissance philosophy could only result in undesirable revolution and corrupt

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