Conservatism - Hardcover

Honderich, Prof. Ted

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0241129990 ISBN 13: 9780241129999

Publisher: Hamish Hamilton, 1990

Synopsis

An analysis of conservatism in which the author discusses whether the conservatives are in favour of reform but against change. He asks if it is the political tradition that defends freedom above all and what is its moral worth? The adversaries of conservatism - traditional liberals, democratic socialists and Marxists have elaborated their own beliefs, fought amongst themselves and disdained Conservatism. They have not found their way by analysis to a true understanding of the politics that was given its first and greatest expression in Edmund Burke's masterpiece of invective "Reflections on the Revolution in France", and has most recently issued in the evangelism of the New Right. Honderich contends that Conservatives for their part have not only refused to sum themselves up but have made it a principle not to reduce their politics to a principle. The author's most recent book is "A Theory of Determinism".

About this title

Review

A tumultuous onslaught ... a substantial piece of work (Anthony Quinton, The Times)

[A] powerful critique of the major beliefs of modern conservatism ... [Honderich] shows how much a rigorous philosopher can contribute to understanding the fashionable but deeply ruinous absurdities of his times. (Bhiku Parekh, New Statesman)

The whole book must be read. Indeed only the final page, like a good detective story, brings with it the full philosophical discovery. (Michael Foot, Observer)

[An] extended analysis of conservative political theory by an eminent radical philosopher ... a significant and timely event (Noel O'Sullivan, Utilitas)

My schematic outline doesn't begin to convey the passion that informs the analyses in Conservatism, nor does it suggest the wealth of arguments it contains. Well argued or badly argued, Conservatism is relentlessly, fiercely argued. (Robert Fullinwider, Philosophical Books)

Ted Honderich's self-righteousness may not reach to the height of a Robespierre or a Lenin; but it is for all that alarming. Given his failure of imagination concerning every experience and opinion that he does not share, one must hope that he remains confined to a university chair... (Roger Scruton, Philosophical Quarterly)

About the Author

Ted Honderich is Grote Professor Emeritus at University College London and author of numerous books on philosophy including After the Terror (Edinburgh University Press, 2002), How Free Are You? (Oxford University Press, 2001), and editor of The Philosophers: Introducing Great Western Thinkers (Oxford University Press, 2001). He is also the editor of the Oxford Companion to Philosophy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hamish Hamilton
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241129990
• ISBN 13: 9780241129999
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272