Form Quote by Roger Scruton
“[Burke] emphasized that the new forms of politics, which hope to organize society around the rational pursuit of liberty, equality, fraternity, or their modernist equivalents, are actually forms of militant irrationality.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Uses of Puzzlement, 1995
Modern political ideals claiming rational liberty can become dogmatic, turning rational pursuits into irrational militancy.
In simple terms: Political ideals can become irrational dogma.
Critically evaluate political doctrines.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- activism
- education
- public debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What distinguishes rational liberty from militant irrationality?
- How can societies guard against dogmatic politics?
Idealistic goals may still inspire positive change.