By: Dakota Roberson is an engineer and educator in Idaho Fall
Someone contacted me and said this was an excellent article. This article was submitted in the Post Register
Conservative Reflections on Human Nature
In the rich tapestry of conservative thought, a foundational strand weaves through the corridors of time, echoing the sentiments of classical thinkers like Edmund Burke and Russell Kirk. It is a belief steeped in the recognition of the unchanging nature of human beings—a conviction that stands as a bedrock principle in the conservative tradition.
At the heart of this conservative tenet lies the profound understanding that human nature, with its perennial virtues and vices, remains a constant force over time. Unlike the transient waves of societal trends, the conservative asserts that the essence of humanity endures, navigating history with a continuity that defies fleeting fashions. This recognition becomes the cornerstone upon which the conservative edifice is erected.
For the conservative, government is not a sculptor shaping the very essence of human existence but rather a custodian, entrusted with the task of creating space for the organic growth of institutions that allow individuals to flourish. The conservative mind is skeptical of grand designs and utopian visions, understanding that human nature is not a raw material to be molded but a force to be accommodated.
Government, in this view, is not a panacea for all societal ills but a limited entity designed to preserve order and safeguard the conditions necessary for human flourishing. It is a guardian, not a creator—a distinction that carries profound implications for the conservative understanding of governance.
The conservative's acknowledgment of the unchanging nature of humanity is not a lamentation, but a recognition of the enduring strengths and frailties that define the human condition. It is an embrace of the complexity inherent in the human experience, steering clear of the simplistic allure of ideological fervor.
Within this conservative framework, institutions play a pivotal role. They are not arbitrary constructs but organic outgrowths that have evolved over time, shaped by the collective wisdom of generations. These institutions, be they familial, religious, or communal, are seen as the bulwarks against the excesses of an unrestrained government. They are the laboratories of human interaction where individuals learn to navigate the complexities of social existence.
However, the conservative is not blind to the flaws inherent in humanity. In fact, it is this acute awareness of human imperfection that informs the conservative's approach to governance. Government, in the conservative ethos, is a necessary but limited tool—a tool that must be wielded with caution, for it is susceptible to the same flaws that afflict individuals. The conservative tradition recognizes that power, if unchecked, can corrupt, and authority, if unrestrained, can lead to tyranny.
In the grand narrative of conservative thought, the belief in the unchanging nature of human beings emerges as a timeless principle—an anchor that steadies the ship of state amidst the tumultuous seas of political ideologies. It is a belief that invites reflection, humility, and a measured approach to governance.
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