Political Crossfire Forums

[therewaslight]

I was trying to think of great European Philosophers since 1945 who have been liberal and conservative. Then I wondered whether the list of North American born conservative philosophers would be longer, perhaps reflecting different up-bringing.

For example, North America does not have its Habermas, Derrida or Foucault, but has its Friedman and Bloom. Leo Strauss and Fredrich Hayek are two European conservative philsophers, and for some time they both worked in America.

I apologise for not having much of a list as this is a learning exercise for me. < philsophy newbie

[melchizedek22]

Paris Hilton,Ashley Simpson!

[therewaslight]

melchizedek22 wrote: Paris Hilton,Ashley Simpson!

Can you explain their contribution to conservative philosophy? :shock:

:lol:

[jawsome]

But the definitions of conservative and not-conservative varies significantly from country to country, continent to continent.....

[thefranzkafkafront]

jawsome wrote: But the definitions of conservative and not-conservative varies significantly from country to country, continent to continent.....


Thats pretty much the problem, the only unifing component of conservatism is moralism, and american 'liberals' are in fact either social liberals, social democrats or socailists.

[therewaslight]

jawsome wrote: But the definitions of conservative and not-conservative varies significantly from country to country, continent to continent.....

I'm sure you know roughly what I mean.

Name some names and argue about it later.

Obviously "Braudrillard" is not conservative. On the other hand Michael Oakshott probably is (on the European list).

[bigstick61]

We have Frank S. Meyers, Richard Weaver, John P. East, and others.

[therewaslight]

bigstick61 wrote: We have Frank S. Meyers, Richard Weaver, John P. East, and others.

With due respect they're not big names though are they? Richard Weaver and Frank Meyers aren't known enough for wikipedia. None are as big as Milton Friedman, Leo Strauss or Allan Bloom - or are they? Maybe they were highly influential in America but less so internationally, so I've never heard of them.

Does Pat Buchannen count as a thinker?

On the American left you have Noam Chomsky. Is their anyone on the right to rival him right now?

I'm getting the feeling modern philosophy and academia is up to its knees in lefties who hate Christianity and capitalism. If our next generation of thinkers are most influenced by the recent generation, is the future further to the left of present day?

From whom can conservatives draw inspiration? I can't think of any famous European conservatives (probably the result of being educated by socialists).

That said I'd recommend this book by Douglas Murray (argues Britain needs neo-conservatism).

[therewaslight]

Two for the European Allstars:

Roger Scruton

Benedict XVI, Joseph Alois Ratzinger


(Probably should not include Christopher Hitchens on the Euro team. Pro-war on terror but left.)

[bigstick61]

They certainly are of significance in America. They were some of the most frequent contributors to the national Review, America's oldest (as far as I know) and best conservative magazine, and have written many books. I often quote them; however, many of the better conservative political philosphers have died within the last decade.