Original sin? It is probably the malice that is ever flickering within us. Seen thus, it is a grievous error for those who manage human affairs not to take original sin into account.
–Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind, axiom 143
Hoffer’s formulation is useful.
While libertarianism has much to recommend it and conservatives find common cause with it on many occasions, it is not conservatism. In all forms of conservatism, original sin and morality loom large. Libertarianism prefers to stay silent on such issues, cheering liberty without apology or concern for those who would abuse it. This is why conservatives like to say “libertarianism is not for kids” and why many libertoids like to say “Libertarianism is only a partial philosophy of life.”
–Jonah Goldberg, Conservative Zoology 101
In light of Hoffer’s take on original sin, perhaps Goldberg’s view of libertarianism explains why people have never really taken politically to libertarianism. While the masses have obviously not thought with the depth of Hoffer and Goldberg, they instinctively get it.
Posted by Hubbard in Conservatism, Philosophy, There Is Only One God And Jonah Goldberg Is His Prophet