Freedom and Order

Author: Zhu Demi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: The tension between freedom and order is one of the fundamental characteristics of modern society. On one hand, freedom is one of the driving forces behind the development of modern society. On the other hand, order is one of the prerequisites for social development. This book primarily explores how modern Western conservatism understands and resolves the tension between freedom and order, taking the evolution of modern society as its background. From the perspective of the relationship between "freedom and order," it conducts a theoretical study of modern Western conservatism. Compared to liberalism, which aligns with human primal desires, conservatism is somewhat characterized by curbing the excess of human desires. In the view of conservatism, a person's social instincts should suppress their natural instincts. However, modern society has already unleashed the of primal instincts, and humans no longer have the ability to close it.
Conservatism argues that the meaning of modern life is not limited to striving for individual freedom, independence, and extensive human rights. Instead, it should focus more on ethical obligations to family, parents, and others, the moral character of individuals, and their responsibilities to society and the community. Only in these ethical and social lives can individuals find the roots of their "self" identity and live a meaningful life.
Conservatism believes that the materialistic and unbridled desire for freedomism leads individuals into a moral "vacuum," thereby contributing to the proliferation of modern hedonism and nihilism. Conservatism is an important ideological resource for resolving the excesses of modern hedonism and nihilism, as well as addressing the inherent contradictions of modernity. It can enrich and enhance our intellectual reserves in dealing with the challenges of modern society.