To what extent are conservatives united in their views about human nature

Introduction

human nature = the set of inherent traits, behaviors, and psychological characteristics common to most people

Paragraph Focus

• Paragraph 1 = State

• Paragraph 2 = Human Imperfection

• Paragraph 3 = Society

Para 1 = Agreement - Traditional

• traditional conservatives think that state intervention is essential

• thinkers such as Hobbes believe that state should retain all power in order to maintain social stability and prevent conflict between different social groups

• they argue that without a guiding authority, society would become ‘nasty, brutish and short’

• a society would provide the foundations for safety and tiny platoons

• without a central authority, life would be ‘nasty brutish and short’

Para 1 = Agreement - One Narion

• one nation conservatives agree and argue that state intervention is essential

• thinkers such as Oakeshott argue that humans are intellectually imperfect so humans cannot be trusted to imake ratinal choices

• this means that oakeshott is more skeptical to radical change, instead opting for change based on pragmatism and empiricism

• instead, they believe that state should step in to correct the address social issues cause by human imperfection and ensure social stability and cohesion

Para 2 = Disagreement - Traditional

• traditional conservatives argue that humans are imperfect

• thinkers such as Hobbes believe that human are morally imperfect and are only interested in themselves

• this is influence by the belief that humans are born with original sin and the fallibility of man

• as a result, they stress the role of moral education, strong institutions eg. religious organisations, and a strong state to curb immoral behaviour

• they believe without guiding structures, human self interest would undermine the collective good

Para 2 = Disagreement - New Right

• new right conservatives disagree and argue that humans are not imperfect

• thinkers such as Rand believe that humans are rational and that self interest - a part of objectivism - would benefit society

• this means that individuals are the best arbiters and the state should allow people to do what they want with their lives

• this leads them to support lassaiz faire economics where people are left to their own devices to make decisions

• therefore, paternalism would only undermine individual responsibility and self-reliance by encouraging dependency on the state

Para 3 = Disagreement - One Nation

• whether society is needed

• maybe talk about organic society

• Yes, One Nation Conservatives believe society is absolutely necessary because they view human nature as inherently flawed, fragile, and limited. [1,

• They believe that because individuals cannot survive or flourish entirely on their own, society is a vital, "organic" framework that provides security, order, and morality. Rather than an artificial construct, society is viewed as a living organism where people are deeply interconnected and dependent on one another.

Para 3 = Disagreement - New Right