Prospect Magazine

Key takeaways from The Hume paradox: how great philosophy leads to dismal politics

The Enlightenment genius showed how admirable scepticism in the world of ideas can translate into a miserable reactionary stance in the world of practical affairs Open at source

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Perhaps Hume also stands as a warning about the ease with which profound theoretical heterodoxy can be married with comfortable social conformity.

Conservatives are above all else suspicious that abstract reason can debunk centuries of experience: a utopia on paper is doomed to turn out worse than an existing imperfect society.

Hume shows that the smartest person in the room isn’t necessarily the smartest choice for the job.

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