In Defence of Modernity: Vision and Philosophy in Michael OakeshottAlthough Oakeshott's philosophy has received considerable attention, the vision which underlies it has been almost completely ignored. This vision, which is rooted in the intellectual debates of his epoch, cements his ideas into a coherent whole and provides a compelling defence of modernity. The main feature of Oakeshott's vision of modernity is seen here as radical plurality resulting from 'fragmentation' of experience and society. On the level of experience, modernity denies the existence of the hierarchical medieval scheme and argues that there exist independent ways of understanding our world, such as science and history, which cannot be reduced to each other. On the level of society, modernity finds expression in liberal doctrine, according to which society is an aggregate of individuals each pursuing his or her own choices. For Oakeshott, to be modern means not only to recognise this condition of radical plurality but also to learn to appreciate and enjoy it. Oakeshott did not think that it was possible to find a comprehensive philosophical justification for modernity, therefore the only way to preserve modern civilisation seemed to be an appeal to sentiment. As a consequence he was a passionate defender of liberal education as the best way to underwrite the 'conversation of mankind.' |
Other editions - View all
In Defence of Modernity: Vision and Philosophy in Michael Oakeshott Efraim Podoksik Limited preview - 2003 |
In Defence of Modernity: Vision and Philosophy in Michael Oakeshott Efraim Podoksik Limited preview - 2013 |
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abstract According to Oakeshott achieve activity aesthetic analysis Andrew Sullivan argues attempt autonomy British Idealism Cambridge character civil association civil condition civil philosophy claims coherent Collingwood concept Conservatism conservative criticism Croce defend emphasis essay European liberalism forms of experience fragmentation freedom Georg Simmel Hegel historian Hobbes homogeneous Human Conduct Ibid ideal independent individual intellectual irrelevant knowledge Leo Strauss liberal education London Michael Oakeshott modern civilisation modes of experience morality neo-Kantian notion Oakeshott’s ideas Oakeshott’s philosophy Oakeshott’s thought Oakeshott’s view Oakeshott’s writings past Paul Franco philosophy of experience philosophy of history philosophy of science philosophy of society Poincaré Political Philosophy positivism positivistic post-modernist postulates present radical plurality Rationalism in Politics recognise reflection regarded rejection relationship Representative Democracy rules scepticism seen social specific substantive theory thinkers Tower of Babel tradition understanding understood unity University Press Voice of Poetry Whig worldviews