CONSERVATIVISM
Belief #1
Political momentum defines the spiritual condition
Placed great important on the role of the areté as the
ideal representation of the perfect lifestyle. Was led
to disappointment in seeing the decadence in Athens.
Belief #2 – Plato’s Crito
Attachment to tradition values despite repercussions
Expresses the importance of friendship (1), diurnal vs.
nocturnal, and the importance of dialogue. Socrates,
despite being wrongly convicted, decides against his
own escape from authority. This was in an attempt to
protect the essence of ‘polis’.
SOCRATE
S
(480-399 B.C.)
Greek Philosopher
PROFILE
One of the classical authors.
Famous for his contradicting
viewpoints. Lived through both
the golden era of Athens and
the Peloponnesian War. His
thought reflected greatly the
repercussions of loss in Athens.
Considered both a conservative
as well as innovative thinker.
DEBATES
PHYSIS vs. POLIS
(Nature vs. civilization)
ETHICS vs. POLITICS
(One of the same)
QUESTION OF DEMOCRACY
(All opinions are not equal)
QUESTION OF HAPPINESS
self-reliance
OPINION vs. THOUGHT
(Ignorance vs. truthful
INNOVATION
Democracy & the Inequality of Opinions
[Dates From]–[To]
Socrates argued that not all opinions are equal,
because not all civilians have the knowledge to make
the best informed decision on collective benefit. Thus,
democracy is not an accurate way to represent the
public good. Furthermore, democracy fails to capture
the complexity of our reality and promotes
appearances over content(ex. speech), as well as
conformity with the majority instead of argumentation
and minority opinions.
Passionate consent of life
Passion is a characteristic of the physis, of the natural
brutality of the human and thus should not be
encouraged in the political life.
Tragical consent of the human and the rational
conception
[Describe your responsibilities and achievements in
terms of impact and results. Use examples but keep
in short.]
Skepticism toward value of tradition
As it is the source of confidence and orientation, we
act in accordance to tradition. However, it is not the
ultimate authority. Comfort doesn’t come from
tradition, it only provides us with in inauthentic life.
Instead we should lead a life based on logic, not
tradition.
Fearlessness & Freedom
The two go hand in hand, if one is fearful of
expressing themselves, they have become a slave of
the system, leader or whoever is in control.
