From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Mon Oct 14 2002 - 14:37:07 BST
Hi Steve, Sam:
Steve nailed the conservative viewpoint with this post:
> > Something might might appear to have high intellectual quality (i.e.
> > Seems to respond to dynamic quality), but if it doesn't also preserve or
> > improve society and lead to preservation of life or improved biological
> > quality it is a bad idea. I think this is what Sam means by
> > conservatism.
Sam responded:
> Am I allowed to shout 'Eureka!' or perhaps, with a nod to Pygmalion, 'By
> George he's got it!'? That very much *is* what I've been trying to explain
> as (how I understand) conservatism to be/understand itself - and I think it
> does fit in with the MoQ. So thank you for showing that you understood what
> I was trying to say. I've been starting to think that my powers of
> explanation had seized up (which as I am currently writing a book trying to
> explain the nature of theology was a bit worrying!).
Then Sam added the following from ZMM which might be called a
"Conservative's Manifesto":
> "So the thing to do when working on a motorcycle, as in any other task, is
> to cultivate the peace of mind which does not separate one's self from
> one's surroundings. When that is done successfully then everything else
> follows naturally. Peace of mind produces right values, right values
> produce right thoughts. Right thoughts produce right actions and right
> actions produce work which will be a material reflection for others to see
> the serenity at the center of it all. ... I think that if we are going to
> reform the world, and make it a better place to live in, the way to do it
> is not with talk about relationships of a political nature, which are
> inevitably dualistic, full of subjects and objects and their relationship
> to one another; or with programs full of things for other people to do. I
> think that kind of approach starts it at the end and presumes the end is
> the beginning. Programs of a political nature are important *end products*
> of social quality that can be effective only if the underlying structure of
> social values is right. The social values are right only if the individual
> values are right. The place to improve the world is first in one's own
> heart and head and hands, and then work outwards from there. Other people
> can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk
> about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more
> lasting value."
Many thanks to both you gentlemen for magnificent summaries of what
being a conservative means.
Platt
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