The Philosophy Book

172

SOCIETY

IS INDEED

A CONTRACT

EDMUND BURKE (1729–1797)

IN CONTEXT

BRANCH

Political philosophy

APPROACH

Conservatism

BEFORE

c.350 BCE Aristotle argues that

society is like an organism,

and that man is by nature a

political animal.

5th century St. Augustine of

Hippo argues that government

is a form of punishment for

“original sin.”

17th century Thomas Hobbes

and John Locke develop the

idea of the “social contract.”

AFTER

19th century French

philosopher Joseph de Maistre

points out the antidemocratic

legacy of Burke since the

French Revolution.

20th century British

philosopher Michael Oakeshott

develops a more liberal form

of conservatism.

M

any a disaffected person

cries “It’s not my fault...

blame society!” But the

meaning of the word “society” is

not entirely clear, and it has changed

over time. During the 18th century,

when the Irish philosopher and

statesman Edmund Burke was

writing, Europe was becoming

increasingly commercialized, and

the idea that society is a mutual

agreement between its members—

like a commercial company—was

readily understood. However, this

point of view also implies that it

is only the material things in life

that matter. Burke attempts to

redress the balance by reminding

us that human beings also enrich

their lives through science, art,

They refer to the

customs and religion

of their ancestors

wherever possible.

They agree to help

each other since this

is the best way to meet

their mutual needs.

They cannot meet all these

needs through their own efforts.

Society is indeed

a contract.

Human beings have

material, scientific,

artistic, and moral needs.