Posted by
The Proud Liberal on Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:03:57 AM
Levin cites Edmund Burke on the necessity for a slow change which will reform but not fundamentally change an institution. Levin doesn't really get into Burke's idea that institutions are the culmination of thousands of years of human experience and, hence, are "good." Burke fails to recognize or account for the evil that may also accrue over thousands of years. However Levin does include a quote from Burke referencing "evil men." This exposes the inadequacies of Burke's observations. Levin also does not reference Burke's belief that God, "Divine Providence" in Burke's language, created the classes and gave each individual in a class the necessary characteristics he would need for that class: intelligence and character for the aristocrats; broad backs for the peasants. Burke was no fan of democracy. Which brings us to the following:
WORSHIP OF INEQUALITY: Levin embraces a key philosophy of conservatism, that men are inherently unequal, and quotes Eric Hoffer about men's thirst for equality, our thirst to eliminate distinctions among us. Conservatives still worship inequality as "God's will." This is a blatant error which runs through every aspect of conservative philosophy.
Proud Liberal