Why be conservative? Why hold values and ideals passed down from old dead people from the past and not set your own ideals, vaules and standards?

Question

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Because as even John Maynard Keynes - whose ideas inspired the New Deal and were the vehicle by which liberalism, as Americans understand the word, dominated US politics from the 1930s to the 1970s - wrote: “Practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back.”

First, a clarification of terminology. What Americans call conservatism is actually classical liberalism, albeit with a strain of Protestant traditionalism. What they call - and presumably the questioner calls - liberalism is actually "radical" liberalism.

The word "radical" here not meaning what it means in contemporary usage, i. e. extremist. Rather it means as the ancient Greeks used the term, i. e., meaning "to the root of." The classical liberals - tracing their ideas to John Locke - believed that man is a mildly diffidently social creature and that he creates government to deal with the inconveniences in the state of nature.

The "radical" liberals take this a step further. They believe that government can be so structured to compensate for the distortions that earlier societies have introduced into the human condition. In effect, that social engineering can compensate for the defects in society that distort man's social nature.

Please note that in the foregoing, how many old dead people inspire the ideas of liberals. They are, as Keynes said, "... the slaves of some defunct economist." They are not aware of the pedigree of the ideas that they espouse and are inclined to believe that they can engineer social arrangements - hence the "transformative welfare state" - to perfect man.

The lack of self-awareness combined with the hubris is what makes the case against liberalism in both its "classical" and "radical" forms. Suffice to say, the scope this leaves for grotesque misgovernment is enormous. They are "self-made men who worship their creators."

By contrast, classical conservatives recognize that government is natural to man. That changes must be gradual and that man's capacity to achieve the intended effects of his reforms is limited. The "law of unintended consequences" always pertains, and therefore that governance - and the values and ideals that inspire it - must be rooted in actual human experience and not merely vague abstractions.

As Michael Oakeshott wrote, "To be conservative, then, is to prefer the familiar to the unknown, to prefer the tried to the untried, fact to mystery, the actual to the possible, the limited to the unbounded, the near to the distant, the sufficient to the superabundant, the convenient to the perfect, present laughter to Utopian bliss. Familiar relationships and loyalties will be preferred to the allure of more profitable attachments; to acquire and to enlarge will be less important than to keep, to cultivate and to enjoy; the grief of loss will be more acute than the excitement of novelty or promise. It is to be equal to one's own fortune, to live at the level of one's own means, to be content with the want of greater perfection which belongs alike to oneself and one's circumstances."

This by the way, does not exclude a welfare state. As George will wrote, "Two conservatives (Disraeli and Bismarck) pioneered the welfare state, and did so for impeccably conservative reasons: to reconcile the masses to the vicissitudes and hazards of a dynamic and hierarchical industrial economy. They acted on the principle of “economy of exertion,” using government power judiciously to prevent less discriminating, more disruptive uses of power. . . . "

CONT.

Exterminatore · Accepted Answer

Because the ideals and values they had in the past and for most of my life are the correct ones.

Only in my life time has homosexuality gone from being considered degeneracy to tolerated to accepted to celebrated. Generations in the past went to church and worshiped God. If they didn’t they respected those who did generally speaking. Now they rip up Bibles in Feminist protests and vandalize churches who dare speak out against the doctrines of the political left. In the past people were accountable for their behavior. Now everything from the government, to racism, to parents to wounded inner children is to blame for revolting behavior and no one understands the concept of being accountable for their choices and behavior. In the past children had respect for their parents or otherwise kept their mouths shut and expected punishment for poor behavior. Now we don’t punish children for anything. Everything is considered child abuse. I could literally go on and on. In the past you could watch TV without seeing women dressed like whores, or seeing men kissing men, and without every vice promoted as virtue. In the past women knew their place, children knew theirs, subordinates at work knew theirs and generally speaking you did not see upheaval in society…to the point of attacking police and burning down precincts and being hailed as a hero for doing so. You didn’t see teen pregnancy as common place. You didn’t see abortion being celebrated as a right of women, you didn’t see women smearing menstrual blood on their faces and declaring how oppressed they are in the land of the free. The point is the political left has laid deliberate siege to the truth, traditional American values, and Judaeo-Christian morality. If you think things are good now or are going to get better you’re probably deceiving yourself. Why would you not point to the past and say: “that was better, and it was better because of their values and ideals.”

Things used to be normal in this country. Now everything that was sacred and honored has been cast aside and replaced with alternative values and the newest religion: Woke Ideology. I wish we could go back to the way things were. That’s why be conservative.

Mia-Wallace · Accepted Answer

Because those values and traditions are working great for my family.

There is no reason whatsoever that every individual would have to "invent the wheel" all over again in every aspect ot his life. When a system is funtioning well and succeeding in uniting the majority of people in a small or bigger group, in encouraging work ethics and discipline, as well as providing the majority of them with basic necessities like shelter and food and safety and role models, or just making those resources easier to find, then it's good enough and keeping it is beneficial to most. If there is also some room left for reasonable change by every generation, it will be great.

There's also the fact that people aren't equal and some people are mentally and physically more powerful than others. Conservative systems usually benefit the weakest, the most, and destroying them usually means favoring a very small group of thinkers and creators who would do well and find their way, with or without pre-existing institutions and internalized values.

Look at yourself, for example. You are too stupid to have an opinion about this matter, yet someone set you loose to "think for yourself". Now we are paying the price by reading your very dumb, loaded question.

NopeWhatTime · Accepted Answer

I'm liberal, so I'm guessing, but I think it's just about perspective. The view we have of the world, and how much we want it to change or stay the same, is based on our own experiences. Conservative people that I've met believe that older morals and values are sound based on their experiences.

Lliam · Answer

Isn't automatic rejection of past knowledge rather immature? It reminds me of privileged, snotty-nosed adolescents who have little knowledge or experience, but think they know more than their parents.

We could learn something from "old dead people". Some of them were really smart. Not that we have to copy them, but we can certain learn from them.

My dead grandparents had great values and ideals, and they had a lot of valuable knowledge to pass on. It would be stupid to simply write them off.

One could ask why be liberal, get manipulated by social engineering programs to believe cockamamie ideas, and trample the beliefs and customs of others?

Whose values and ideals are we to espouse, those of liberal, social studies professors? Post modernists? Even their philosophies have roots that go back many, many decades.

I question everything. I support positive change 100%. I have what used to be liberal values of open mindedness, tolerance, peace and liberty. I formulate my own opinions on individual issues. But modern liberalism is the opposite. I don't believe in tearing shit down and bashing people over the head just because I have different opinions.

WilliamPamer446 · Answer

This is actually a good question, as I'm a independant with libertarian and liberal and conservative links. So i'm the perfect guy to answer our question.

Basically every society, not just god awful racist sexist fascist america, has values and ideals that were created at the start of the foundation of the society. China, African countries, Russia, Norway, Sweden, every country has these. The people of the society come to identify with these values, just like you do with your Hispanic culture. And these foundations aren't always perfect and people often sneak in or contribute bad ideas to the foundation, so we have to let go of some of the foundation later. But what happens if you take away ALL of the foundation? You kill the original culture and society.

America was founded on freedom, liberty, justice, independance. Pretty cool things right? Well unfortantely federalist, racist slave owners, secret society illuminati people, got in the way of that. So a lot of men died and fought for that stuff to change. And the edgy struggle for black people didn't stop because there kept being Jim Crow. And white people found out how much they had been lied to and were actually not free in the 60s. So we took down the old conservative establishment, But the illuminati was still around, trying to divide a we couldn even see them attackig us from right under our nozez. But they were always here, from the beginning. America is about being able to stand up to your corrupt rulers. How many countries value systems allow that? Not much

SeanshterMonster · Answer

It's a thing called tradition and it's to honor our ancestors that got us here in the first place. It's not that conservatives don't build their own values, it's that they build it off of pre-existing values. Like a foundation. So that's it's sturdy and won't easily change. Though it can make it hard for them to adapt with change and time. There's up sides and down sides. Like it keeps morals in check like don't steal, lie, murder, cheat. Stuff like that. Keeping the golden rule. (Though I've met a lot of people that say they keep to that golden rule but don't actually practice it). That's the right. The left are the exact opposite, easier to change and don't base their values and morals on the past, the down side to that is they can be too easily changed by the masses and what the population says rather then morals based on a solid ground. I don't care either way what people are, I'm in the middle cause I don't care. People are people,- people are stupid, I prefer to stay to my own, away from everyone else, and I don't care what other people do with their lives. Nobody is perfect, and people are born evil and inherently biased.

RolandCuthbert · Answer

But you know why.

Traditional Conservative ideals hold a society together. A strong emphasis on traditional husband/wife/parent roles. A strong emphasis on the nuclear family, close-knit communities, give a society a proper foundation. The concept of state and local jurisdictions having more power than the federal government. And restricting the federal government's role to ensuring rights and freedoms of individual citizens, providing for the common defense, etc. These are the things that Conservatism was built upon.

These principles of course, have nothing to do with the crap that passes for Conservatism nowadays.

laurcar34 · Answer

I don't think most of what people call "conservative" is conservative at all. Through the middle and late 20th c., tax rates on upper income brackets were much, much higher than they are today. The Bush and Trump tax laws actually seem pretty radical to me. Bush's consolidation of executive power and the Iraq war were radical as well. Trump's disregard of institutions and traditions - such as an independent judiciary and respect for the free press - were radical as well.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

"Conservative" and "liberal" aren't real.
People only temporarily side with either if they fit a particular thing (or set of things) that they agree with.
Real values are complex, individualized, and most people disagree on lots of things.
We invent left wing vs right wing so we can both ignore that it's the same stupid bird being elected either way, and so we can ignore that society is a myth, and if everyone were honest about everything they thought, almost no one would get along.

Shark_61695 · Answer

Because if you don't do it the way it has always been done makes you a 'libtard' or 'sjw'

Making your own decisions is the most important thing. It doesn't matter if your decision matches historical decisions or the modern social trends as long as you are doing it for you as opposed to because X says so.

Anonymous · Answer

Because liberalism went from moving forward to form a better society into sacrificing everything you and your country was built upon. Defacing statues, burning and lotting cities and canceling anyone who disagrees with you is what liberals in 2022 stand for.

hahahmm · Answer

Because the old dead people built civilization and societies that worked just fine. And liberals have created way more problems than they've solved. I'd rather be part of handing a working society to future generations than one that was set on fire and is doomed to fail.

lightbulb27 · Answer

thousands of years of experience passed on that generally work and address underlying human problems. Fail to understand and honor elders experience and wisdom, means repeat the past.

Evenso, it's still a mess no matter what.
being creative is good... to a point.

Stoner710 · Answer

Because they’ve worked for thousands of years and made people more prosperous in the long run. Liberals hold on to a Marxist belief which has been taken on by the progressive that have gotten more people killed within 100 years and the entirety of the previous centuries combined. So it it’s conservatism and tradition vs Marxist liberalism I’ll take conservatism

exitseven · Answer

I never considered myself a conservative but now the democrats are destroying this country and causing life to be much harder for me and my family I felt like I had to finally pick a side.
When Donald Trump first campaigned, he addressed issues that I had been talking about for the last 20 years. I was never a fan of his but I had to think that even if only got one or two of these things done it would be better that the failed policies that Obama had backed.

DarkWinterNights · Answer

As I get older and mature, the more I realize how vitally important our values, ideals and traditions are. There is a point when “progressive” becomes regressive and it always leads to self destruction.
I think our generations will live long enough to regret subverting everything that gave us the freedom to destroy it.

anon1903 · Answer

Because some people see themselves as groups, not individuals. They seek validation and approval from their older generation, and just because it has worked in the past, they try to make it work in the present too.

kyleelyn199723 · Answer

How is following todays trends setting your own values and ideals?

Gal67 · Answer

Because those values and ideals are worth preserving, because they've worked thus far, because the alternatives now on offer are just utterly abhorrent and insane, because "dead people" shouldn't be assumed to have been wrong simply because they're no longer with us (which is what you do here), because not every new idea should be enthusiastically embraced simply because it's new, because... because, because, because...
So many reasons. I could write a book about this.

Anonymous · Answer

Liberals and conservatives both have old and rehashed ideas by dead people. It's not exclusive to one group. I would say I hold my conservative cues because they are more often times honorable while liberal ideas tend to be more self centered. The conservative approach is slow and steady and the liberal approach is give me everything now, consequences be damned. And if you don't then we'll destroy and loot till we get it.

NamerOfStars · Answer

For the same reason you don't try to reach India by going north from Spain: the old ways WORK. The values and ideals that get handed down are those that passed the test of time.

Waldoe · Answer

the same applies to Liberals? There are very Few new ideas, most are re-runs of old failed ideas... both Liberal and Conservative... Liberals used to all be Slave owners, now they try to convince the Freed slaves to vote with them, clever, but transparent.

Deserter · Answer

I don't consider myself a traditionalist. I hold to some values that are old, some that are new, I pick and choose.

But you have to understand something, while some old values don't have a good justification for being upheld today, many still do. There's a good reason many are still upheld, and it's why they still are. New equals better by default is something a simpleton would think quite frankly.

Avicenna · Answer

In reality, people do develop their own values and standards. And despite the marketing of leftist values as "trendy" or "new", in fact they're rehashed from Cold War Communism or even older eras.

fireforeffect · Answer

Because with age comes Wisdom.
Why be an atheist? That is what you are sounding like, because our Ideals, Values, and Standards come from the Bible, Handed down to us By God.
Thieves make up their own rules, Ideals, Values and Standards. So do psychotics.

DCooper · Answer

I can't speak to this personally, not being a conservative. But my best guess is it's most likely because those old dead people had to really limit self destructive behavior in order to live comfortably.

Anonymous · Answer

Because you're talking about the people who set ideals for themselves and succeeded in life. Why wouldn't they be worth taking note of?

Everyone trying to be unique is overrated. People choose wildly different paths that are frequently toxic and don't interact with others well. Forking off of a proven path works better.

joeldalton · Answer

Maybe because those old dead people forged the greatest country the world has ever seen, and the new alive people think syrup is racist.

Jintendo18 · Answer

I consider myself a moderate as I don’t agree or disagree with either conservatives or liberals 100%.

Redstang88 · Answer

And I suppose parroting back what’s shoved down our throats by the media is setting your own values? Yeah right I just happen to believe in personal choice and self reliance

UdontNeedtoknow · Answer

because most new ideas are not well thought out and will never pass the test of time. there is wisdom in our traditions that were passed down to us from our ancestors.

Dragonpurple · Answer

You mean like the values in the constitution, created by old dead people? I still hold those very dear and always will.

Ironic_Method · Answer

All I know is that whatever path you're taking right now is clearly making you very unhappy. Just looking at your responses makes me think it's time for you to re-evaluate your misery.

awkward_author · Answer

Some people's values are more conservative than others. That's just how it is. There's many different reasons why someone would be conservative. Religion happens to be one of them.

Honestguyopen · Answer

You shouldn't try to fix what isn't broke. Adam and eve did that when they ate from the tree, and here we are still trying to do things our own way. How many years of suffering does it take for humans to understand we can't set our own standards?

anylolone · Answer

Why stick to tried and tested when you can rape children and die raped and disgraced at prison? (this is an exaggeration, but you get the point. You can exchange for any other thing, like living exclusively on led, etc...)

Anonymous · Answer

Why do liberals want to transform the US into a nation they view as ideal when it's been shown not to work? We're actually seeing it in real time.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

That’s an oversimplified misrepresentation of what conservatism really is. It’s funny how you’re against abortion, you’re a Christian, yet you consider yourself a liberal. Lol, buddy you’re just all kinds of confused.

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

By that logic you shouldn’t be Christian. Since Christianity itself was passed down from old dead people.

Shamalien · Answer

Because it took generations to come up with a working system, you think you can reinvent one by yourself in your teens and 20s? I mean you can freestyle a bit, but don’t throw the entire thing out

007kingifrit · Answer

because ideas are like genetics. the best ones have been around a while. new ideas haven't stood the test of time and are often born from emotions rather than practicality

collie22 · Answer

not values like... deficit spending gutting social security fund polluting the air and corporate welfare

bamesjond0069 · Answer

Because they work very well and nothing anyone else does works hardly at all if at all. So just logic.

BillyBalls · Answer

Why be liberal. Believing in values held by dead people?

888theGreat · Answer

so people don't run over kids in school zones gong 60 miles over the speed limit

Anonymous · Answer

Why do you think that you are smarter than the people who came before you?

noohair · Answer

I don't have any one label, I am too complicated. And I don't need validation from any tribe.

rockytherock · Answer

I don't know, makes things boring and it's lame

Anonymous · Answer

Why learn anything from other people at all? Why not figure out everything on your own?

Anonymous · Answer

Asking me to become liberal where I come from is like asking a Jew to sieg heil

MrSmithee · Answer

Because millions died to learn it and millions have died to protect them.

WhatTheHeckkkk · Answer

Live and let live.

ObscuredBeyond · Answer

Why look to yourself if you're the one confused?

Uptowngirl88 · Answer

Lmfaooooo 😂 I'm so sick of u

UsernameXLTX · Answer

Give some examples of new ideas and values?

OddBeMe · Answer

Not sure. Been asking for awhile.

disgustingweebtrash · Answer

Conservatives can't conserve anything.

Anonymous · Answer

Exactly. Same with Marxists and Socialists.

Why be conservative? Why hold values and ideals passed down from old dead people from the past and not set your own ideals, vaules and standards?

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Live and let live.

Why be conservative? Why hold values and ideals passed down from old dead people from the past and not set your own ideals, vaules and standards?

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Live and let live.

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