Thursday, October 26, 2006

Conservatism: A Definition

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy: that is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.”

-- John Kenneth Galbraith
Posted by on

10 comments:

  1. BilliamOctober 26, 2006 at 7:00 PM

    Wow. I'm conservative, so I guess I'm lumped in right? Does that mean I can stop all my donations to charity? Afterall, I'm selfish. Right?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Other SideOctober 26, 2006 at 7:46 PM

    Billiam: I think you are probably more libertarian. Besides, it's a generalization, just like the one about liberals all liking higher taxes and drinking coffee in coffee shops with little pinkies upraised.

    If you can honestly tell me you have never made a generalization about liberals, even in jest, then I will apologize.

    Good on you that you contribute to charities ... liberals do too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BilliamOctober 26, 2006 at 7:51 PM

    I never ONCE pictured you as a pinky out kind of guy. No, I have not lumped all liberals into the same camp. Just the majority, meaning about 55%. The rest of you, I can talk to.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Other SideOctober 26, 2006 at 8:32 PM

    Well, I like you too. It's fun to tweak a little here and there, though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dad29October 27, 2006 at 11:13 AM

    Actually, I think that Galbraith's charge is more accurately applied to Libertarians.

    The philosophy espoused by "real" Libertarians, at core, does not allow for 'others.'

    Genuine Conservatives, who actually exist in the Democrat Party but are more numerous in the Pubbie corral, abhor selfishness.

    On the other hand, they also abhor sloth, and all the other vices.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Other SideOctober 27, 2006 at 11:18 AM

    Are you saying you're a Democrat, Dad? And what's the Pubbie corral?

    And I like you too ... too?

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  7. BilliamOctober 27, 2006 at 1:41 PM

    Pubbie corral=Republican party. younguns' keep you up so late the your brain went into lock?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Other SideOctober 27, 2006 at 1:57 PM

    I truly had never heard that. The young 'uns are at their mother's house.

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  9. BilliamOctober 28, 2006 at 9:40 AM

    A break. That's a good thing. I'd never heard it before either, but, the meaning seemed obvious to me. Then again, i don't have to chase walking/running chemical factories around, as well as manage a household, so my brain functions more efficiently.. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dad29October 28, 2006 at 10:14 AM

    Sorry, OS, I'm not voting Democrat. However, if it makes you feel better, I am NOT a Republican.

    I am a Conservative.

    ReplyDelete

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