POL113H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Voluntary Society, Tyrant, Russell Kirk
Document Summary
Russell kirk: there exists an enduring moral order. Those who are content with themselves and with the way society currently is will be part of the good society. If people know what"s right and what"s wrong, if they believe there"s a moral order governing society. If people want to reform the way of things, it won"t be a good change. A person doesn"t have to be religious to embrace the idea of a natural order: custom, convention, and continuity. Already established values and customs makes a peaceful, stable society. When people agree with each other, there are no disputes about right and wrong. The passing down of these values and traditions from one generation to the next links society and individuals. When radicals start over from scratch and destroy these long-established values, the new system will be inferior to the old one. The continuity of society should not be interrupted. Necessary change should be gradual and slow: prescription.