On Edmund Burke's Thought Of Liberty

Edmund Burke was a prominent British politician and political theorist in the second half of the eighteenth century,his prudent idea of reform was regarded as a pioneer of ideas by later generations of conservatism.Liberty is the core theme of Burke's political thought,which runs through his life's thinking on all major political events.In the face of the huge impact of the French Revolution,Burke resolutely defend the British constitutional system and liberal tradition.Contrary to the rationalist thought of the 18 th century Enlightenment,Burke recognized freedom as a concrete freedom in society.Freedom is not only one of the many benefits provided by society,but also restricted by society itself.Burke's liberty is closely linked to traditions and customs,religion and aristocracy,virtue and power.Burke's understanding of liberty and the emphasis on realistic social conditions stem from Burke's empiricist epistemological foundation.At the same time,Burke's defense of liberty is also linked to natural law,which natural law gives his liberty to be ethical.Empirical epistemology and courtesy of natural law constitute the cornerstone of Burke's thought of liberty.The full text is divided into five chapters.The first chapter is a review of the background of Burke's thought of liberty.Burke's thought of liberty is closely linked to the British society after the glorious revolution.His goal is also to defend Britain's liberal tradition.At the same time,The French Revolution and the Enlightenment are Burke's the biggest challenges.Burke's thought of liberty is a powerful response.The second chapter is Burke's reflection on the French Revolution.Although Burke's thought of liberty was expressed in every important topic handled in his life,the reflections on the French revolution made Burke's thought clearest and most comprehensive manifestation.Therefore,starting from the polemic about freedom between Burke and the revolutionary theorists,the differences between the two are separately illustrated from the sources of freedom,the connotation of freedom and the preservation of freedom.The third chapter is a summary of the main contents of Burke's thought of liberty.First of all,Burke's thought of liberty is closely linked with the British Constitution.Liberty is strongly supported by the constitutional system of the United Kingdom.Liberty is also the source of the legitimacy of the British Constitution.And,theancient constitutional theory from the common law tradition fits with Burke's emphasis on history and tradition.Second,Burke's thought of liberty is based on society.Liberty does not exist in abstract reason,but exists in the real world and requires the support of religion,aristocracy and tradition.In the end,Burke's thought of liberty has the property of universal morality.Liberty is not merely the exclusive benefit or privilege of a particular society,liberty is universally ethical and universally applicable under God's order.The fourth chapter is about Burk's theoretical basis of thought of liberty.Empiric epistemology is the starting point of Burke's thought of liberty,emphasizing the weakness of man's reason and the important position of experience.The idea of natural law has given his liberty universal morality,and everyone is entitled to liberty.The combination of the two factors makes Burke's natural law different from the classical tradition of natural law,and Burke's thought of liberty is unique in the combination of his natural law and empiricist epistemology.The fifth chapter is a brief comment on Burke's thought of liberty.Although there are many different interpretations of Burke in academic circles,the essence of his thought of liberty lies in providing a solid social foundation for the maintenance of liberty.