It is much more fair to say that Oakeshott was skeptical of change, particularly change that comes from the state.
To me Oakeshott echoes exactly the sort of skepticism Hume* had about basing regulation of human society on some sort of abstract ideology, notion, intuition, etc. (e.g., justice, equality, etc.) that is supposed to create some sort totalizing awesomeness for everyone.
*Whether Oakesott read Hume's political works I cannot say, but it wouldn't surprise me - Hume was still thought of as primarily a political philosopher at the early part of the 20th century.
It is much more fair to say that Oakeshott was skeptical of change, particularly change that comes from the state.
ReplyDeleteTo me Oakeshott echoes exactly the sort of skepticism Hume* had about basing regulation of human society on some sort of abstract ideology, notion, intuition, etc. (e.g., justice, equality, etc.) that is supposed to create some sort totalizing awesomeness for everyone.
*Whether Oakesott read Hume's political works I cannot say, but it wouldn't surprise me - Hume was still thought of as primarily a political philosopher at the early part of the 20th century.