A Vindication Of Natural Society Or A View Of The Miseries And Evils Arising To Mankind From Every Species Of Artificial Society

By Edmund Burke

Book Overview

A Vindication of Natural Society or A View of the Miseries and Evils Arising to Mankind from Every Species of Artificial Society is a book written by Edmund Burke. In this book, Burke argues against the idea of artificial society, which he believes is a cause of misery and suffering for humanity. He claims that natural society, in which individuals live in a state of nature, is a more ideal way of living as it is free from the corruption and oppression that comes with artificial society. Burke also criticizes the Enlightenment thinkers who advocate for the use of reason and rationality to improve society, arguing that such attempts lead to more harm than good. Overall, A Vindication of Natural Society is a philosophical work that challenges the prevailing ideas of the time and presents an alternative view of society and human nature.THIS 56 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: The Works Of Edmund Burke V1, by Edmund Burke. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1417974818.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1162896493
• ISBN13: 9781162896496
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 0.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Invaluable Work in the Anarchist Tradition

The redoubtable Edmund Burke is widely known as the man who layed down the philosophical foundations of modern conservatism. Thus, it may come as a great surprise to discover that he penned what may very well be one of the earliest clear expositions of philosophical anarchism in the Western tradition. While scholars may always dispute over the issue of whether or not the "Vindication" was meant as a serious work or a satire, the book's status as a landmark is incontestable.In this terse tract, Burke sets out to apply the same rationalistic standards to the realm of politics that 18th century Deists like Lord Bolingbroke applied to the doctrines of revealed religion. As Deists upheld the distinction between natural( i.e. rational) and artificial (irrational or faith-based) religion, Burke seeks to defend natural (anarchistic or voluntaristic) society against that which is dominated by the brute engine of government. Although modern conservatives may also give their full support to the idea that the unrestrained employment of reason undermines the basis of both religion and government, it is infidel anarchists who will derrive the greatest value from his insights. For those wise enough to allow the light of reason to be their guide, the "Vindication" serves as a powerful indictment of government and the innumerable crimes that it has perpetrated on mankind wherever it has existed.If indeed the work is a satire, it would seem that it has done far more damage to Burke's cause than he would ever have imagined. Not only did the tract serve as a great inspiration to William Godwin, the man who, in less than four decades from the time of this book's publication, authored one of the definitivie works of philosophical anarchism, but it will certainly serve the ends of anarchists for many years to come, as they continue to wage war against the religion of politics with many of the same weapons that Burke has so eloquently furnished for us.