5.3.4 Tradition and Empiricism: Respect for Generational Practices (Edmund Burke)

Edmund Burke on Tradition and Empiricism

Context to Edmund Burke

Burke's ideas emerged during a time of significant political upheaval, particularly influenced by the French Revolution, which he strongly opposed. His work, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), lays the foundation for his conservative ideology, emphasizing the importance of tradition and empirical wisdom in governing society.

Tradition in Burke's Thought

• For Burke, tradition was the cornerstone of society. He believed that the accumulated wisdom of past generations, embedded in long-standing practices and institutions, provided the most reliable guide for present and future action. According to Burke, traditions are not just arbitrary customs but are rooted in the collective experiences of a society over time. These practices have been tested by history and have proven their value in maintaining social stability and order.
• Burke argued that society should respect and preserve these traditions because they embody the successful solutions to past challenges. He believed that discarding traditions in favor of new, untested ideas was not only reckless but also disrespectful to the wisdom of those who came before us. Burke saw traditions as a form of social inheritance, which each generation has a responsibility to maintain and pass on to the next.

Empiricism in Burke's Thought

• He believed that policies and political decisions should be based on what has been proven to work in practice, rather than on speculative ideas about how society should function.
• Burke was skeptical of grand philosophical schemes that sought to redesign society according to abstract principles, as he believed these often ignored the complexities of human nature and the lessons of history.
• Burke's empiricism is closely tied to his respect for tradition. He argued that the practices and institutions that have stood the test of time should be valued because they are grounded in the empirical experiences of countless generations.
• For Burke, the wisdom of these experiences was more trustworthy than the untested ideas of revolutionary thinkers.

Impact on Conservative Ideology

Human Nature

• Burke's emphasis on tradition and empiricism is deeply connected to his views on human nature. He believed that humans are inherently flawed and limited in their understanding. Because of these limitations, Burke argued that individuals and societies should rely on the collective wisdom embedded in traditions rather than attempting to create entirely new systems based on abstract reasoning.
• He saw tradition as a stabilizing force that helps guide human behavior and decision-making in a way that aligns with the realities of human nature.

The State

• Burke viewed the state as an institution that should be grounded in tradition. He believed that the state's legitimacy and stability depended on its continuity with the past. For Burke, the state should be cautious in implementing reforms and should always consider the potential consequences of altering long-standing practices and institutions.
• The role of the state, in Burke's view, was to preserve and uphold these traditions, ensuring that any changes were made gradually and with respect for the historical context.

Society

• Burke saw society as an organic entity that evolves over time. He believed that social cohesion and stability were maintained through the respect and preservation of traditions.
• For Burke, society functions best when it builds on the accumulated wisdom of past generations, rather than trying to start anew. He argued that traditions create a sense of continuity and shared identity, which are essential for maintaining social order.

The Economy

• In economic terms, Burke's emphasis on tradition and empiricism translates into a preference for gradual, evolutionary changes rather than radical shifts. He believed that economic practices that have been refined over generations should be respected and preserved.
• Burke was wary of economic theories that sought to dramatically alter the structure of society or the economy without considering the practical consequences of such changes.