Rationalism in Politics

First published in 1962, Rationalism in Politics firmly established the late Michael Oakeshott as the leading conservative political theorist in modern Britain. This expanded collection of essays provides a sharp critique of the limits of 'reason' in rationalist politics.

Key Themes and Insights:

• Oakeshott challenges ideological schemes aimed at reforming society based on so-called 'scientific' or rationalistic principles.
• He highlights how these approaches often ignore the richness and diversity of human experience, leading to flawed outcomes.

Notable Observations:

• According to Oakeshott, "Rationalism in politics involves a misconception with regard to the nature of human knowledge."
• History demonstrates that rationalist politics frequently leads to unexpected and disastrous results.

The Core Critique:

• The Rationalist, by rejecting traditional knowledge and undervaluing broad education in favor of technical analysis, undermines the institutions that sustain civilized society.
• Oakeshott goes so far as to describe rationalism in politics as "a corruption of the mind."

This thought-provoking collection is a must-read for those interested in political philosophy and the enduring debate over the role of reason in shaping society.