Conservatism, Past and Present : A Philosophical Introduction - Tristan J. Rogers

Conservatism, Past and Present

A Philosophical Introduction

By: Tristan J. Rogers

Paperback | 31 January 2025

At a Glance

Paperback


$96.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $24.19 with

 or 

This title is not currently in stock at the Booktopia Warehouse and needs to be ordered from our supplier.

In Conservatism, Past and Present: A Philosophical Introduction, Tristan J. Rogers argues that philosophical conservatism is a coherent and compelling set of historically rooted ideas about conserving and promoting the human good. Part I, "Conservatism Past," presents a history of conservative ideas, exploring themes, such as the search for wisdom, the limits of philosophy, reform in preference to revolution, the relationship between authority and freedom, and liberty as a living tradition. Major figures include Aristotle, Saint Aquinas, Edmund Burke, G.W.F. Hegel, and Roger Scruton. Part II, "Conservatism Present," applies philosophical conservatism to contemporary conservative politics, focusing on issues such as nationalism, populism, the family, education, and responsibility.

Rogers shows that conservatism has been defined differently at different times: as a loose set of connected ideas reacting against the French Revolution; as a kind of disposition or instinct in favor of the status quo; and more recently as any ideas opposed to the political left. But he also allows a set of questions to guide his argument for conservatism's merits: What is conservatism? Is it a coherent and attractive philosophy? What are conservatives for? And how is today's conservatism related to its past? In his answers, Rogers paints a compelling and coherent picture of an aligned and attractive set of ideas.

Industry Reviews

"Tristan Rogers' Conservatism Past and Present is an important contribution. Against the widespread neglect of conservative thought in the academy, Rogers shows that there is a serious tradition of conservative political philosophy-with which responsible political philosophers must engage-by tracing conservative themes in the thought of major thinkers within the Western intellectual tradition, including Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, Hume, Burke, Hegel, Tocqueville, and so on. Drawing on this tradition, Rogers articulates and defends a position he calls "philosophical conservatism," which he deploys to advance conservative views on contemporary political debates, demonstrating the continued appeal of conservative thought."

-Dr. David McPherson, Professor of Philosophy at the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education, University of Florida, USA.

More in Philosophy

Ikigai : 43 Japanese words to live by - Mari Fujimoto

RRP $27.99

$26.50

Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor E Frankl
The Prophet : Penguin Classics Hardcover - Kahlil Gibran

RRP $32.99

$30.25

The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy : Leather-bound Classics - Sun Tzu
The Choice : A true story of hope - Edith Eger

RRP $24.99

$23.75

History of Western Philosophy : Routledge Classics - Bertrand Russell
12 Rules for Life : Antidote to Chaos - Jordan B. Peterson

RRP $22.99

$21.90

Meditations : The Annotated Edition - Marcus Aurelius

RRP $49.99

$38.75

22%
OFF
Bright Shining : how grace changes everything - Julia Baird
The Golden Road : How Ancient India Transformed the World - William Dalrymple
Colonialism : A Moral Reckoning - Nigel Biggar

RRP $34.99

$23.75

32%
OFF
We Who Wrestle With God : Perceptions of the Divine - Jordan B. Peterson
Ikigai : The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life - Hector Garcia
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse - Charlie Mackesy

RRP $40.00

$35.35

12%
OFF
Humankind : A Hopeful History - Rutger Bregman

RRP $24.99

$23.75

Beyond Order : 12 More Rules for Life - Jordan B. Peterson

RRP $22.99

$21.90

Be Water, My Friend : The True Teachings of Bruce Lee - Shannon Lee