Friedrich von Hayek
A post about overheated rhetoric against “conservatives”. Link to a new post at Gay Patriot about “Why Do Some on Left Demonize Dissent”? A comment to that post by the author of the exceptional essay “Hayekian ignorance as cognitive affront” by Thinking Out Loud.
If one is engaged in the politics of salvation, then a sense of being a member of a cognitive elite, one with clearly greater moral and intellectual understanding is also a natural part of the package. The politics of salvation have a long history, and not a happy one. Hardly surprising, since the cause is so “obviously” so morally urgent, so morally trumping, that no dispute of its fundamental premises can be permitted. Indeed, to do so turns you into an enemy of salvation.
It is, after all, quite noticeable that the adherents of “conspicuous compassion” and “social tolerance” can be very uncompassionate, and very intolerant, towards those of the “wrong” opinions; that the adherents of “the Gospel of Love” can be quite keen on the rhetoric of hate; and that the adherents of “Allah the merciful and compassionate” can be quite merciless. But if one possesses the realm of righteousness up to the boundaries of morality, then the intensity of one’s rejection of those beyond those boundaries displays one’s commitment to righteousness by one’s damning of its enemies. Expressing cathartic hatred becomes a moral act—but not one that is a comfortable conjunction with Hayekian cognitive humility.
Lest I suggest the false impression that the author advocates what some consider “conservatism” – clearly a warning is in store for everybody on all points along the social-political spectrum. Including for Christian conservatives yes?
Hayek’s analysis enjoins a certain causal humility. What its supporters would regard as social realism. Though there are perfectly legitimate debates about what can be done effectively in any instance, Hayek’s analysis is a powerful support to a somewhat limited view of what is possible in public policy. This can sit badly with a strong sense of moral urgency about the ordering of society. [emphasis added]
Read the whole thing at Thinking Out Loud (Lorenzo Warby). H/T Gay Patriot.
