Michael Oakeshott on Religion, Aesthetics, and Politics (ERIC VOEGELIN INST SERIES) PDF
Preview Michael Oakeshott on Religion, Aesthetics, and Politics (ERIC VOEGELIN INST SERIES)
Michael Oakeshott on Religion, Aesthetics, and Politics Eric Voegelin Institute Series in Political Philosophy: Studies in Religion and Politics Jesus and the Gospel Movement:Not Afraid to Be Partners, by William Thompson- Uberuaga The Religious Foundations of Francis Bacon’s Thought, by Stephen A.McKnight OTHER BOOKS IN THE ERIC VOEGELIN INSTITUTE SERIES IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY SERIES The American Way of Peace:An Interpretation, by Jan Prybyla Art and Intellect in the Philosophy of Étienne Gilson, by Francesca Aran Murphy Augustine and Politics as Longing in the World, by John von Heyking Eros,Wisdom,and Silence:Plato’s Erotic Dialogues, by James M.Rhodes Faith and Political Philosophy:The Correspondence between Leo Strauss and Eric Voegelin,1934–1964, edited by Peter Emberley and Barry Cooper A Government of Laws:Political Theory,Religion,and the American Founding,by Ellis Sandoz Hans Jonas:The Integrity of Thinking, by David J.Levy Lonergan and the Philosophy of Historical Existence, by Thomas J.McPartland The Narrow Path of Freedom and Other Essays, by Eugene Davidson New Political Religions,or an Analysis of Modern Terrorism, by Barry Cooper Robert B.Heilman and Eric Voegelin:A Friendship in Letters,1944–1984,edited by Charles R.Embry Transcendence and History:The Search for Ultimacy from Ancient Societies to Post- modernity, by Glenn Hughes Voegelin,Schelling,and the Philosophy of Historical Existence, by Jerry Day Michael Oakeshott on Religion, Aesthetics, and Politics (cid:2) Elizabeth Campbell Corey University of Missouri Press Columbia and London Copyright © 2006 by The Curators of the University of Missouri University of Missouri Press,Columbia,Missouri 65201 Printed and bound in the United States of America All rights reserved 5 4 3 2 1 10 09 08 07 06 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Corey,Elizabeth Campbell,1972– Michael Oakeshott on religion,aesthetics,and politics / Elizabeth Campbell Corey. p. cm.— (Eric Voegelin Institute series in political philosophy) Summary:“Argues that Oakeshott’s views on aesthetics, religion,and morality,which she places in the Augustinian tradition,are intimately linked to a creative moral personality that underlies his political theorizing.Also compares Oakeshott’s Rationalism to Voegelin’s concept of Gnosticism and considers both thinkers’treatment of Hobbes to delineate their philo- sophical differences”—Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN-13:978-0-8262-1640-3 (hard cover :alk.paper) 1, Oakeshott,Michael Joseph,1901– 2. Philosophy, Modern—20th century. 3. Religion. 4. Aesthetics. 5. Political science—Philosophy. I. Title. II. Series. B1649.O344C67 2006 192—dc22 2006002465 ™ This paper meets the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,Z39.48,1984. Design:foleydesign Typesetter:Crane Composition,Inc. Printer and binder:Thomson-Shore,Inc. Typeface:Bembo The University of Missouri Press offers its grateful acknowledgment for a generous contribution from the Eric Voegelin Institute and the Pierre F.and Enid Goodrich Foundation in support of the publication of this volume. TO DAVID AND BOB Contents Acknowledgments ix Abbreviations xi 1.Introduction 1 2.Oakeshott and Augustine on the Human Condition 20 3.Future,Past,and Present 46 4.Oakeshott’s Religious Thought 73 5.Oakeshott’s Aesthetics 98 6.The Tower of Babel and the Moral Life 127 7.Rationalism and the Politics of Faith 155 8.Skeptical Politics and Civil Association 175 9.Rationalism and Gnosticism: Oakeshott and Voegelin 189 10.Conclusion 215 Works Cited 233 Index 241 Acknowledgments It is a pleasure to be able to thank all those people without whom this book would not have been written. It was Bob McMahon who first introduced me to Oakeshott when he gave me the newly published essay “Religion and the World” during the summer before my senior year at Oberlin College.Years later we read On Human Conduct togeth- er,and I learned what it means to study and love a difficult work of phi- losophy. I am grateful for the support of the three political theorists at Louisiana State University:my advisor,Ellis Sandoz;Cecil Eubanks;and Jim Stoner.LSU remains a hidden gem for those who desire a true lib- eral education and immersion in the history of political thought.There is little pretension in Baton Rouge: just abundant time to read, think, and converse.Oakeshott would surely approve.This book has grown out of my PhD dissertation there, which was supported by the Earhart Foundation. My thanks also go to Timothy Fuller,whom I first met at a Liberty Fund conference for graduate students.I knew of him already,of course, as the editor of Rationalism in Politics and Religion,Politics and the Moral Life. He generously agreed to advise my work from afar.This,in combi- nation with his insightful essays and articles, has helped to shape my views on Oakeshott’s unusual approach to religion and aesthetics.I owe debts to Corey Abel,Eric Kos,and Glenn Worthington for providing me with copies of Oakeshott’s early essays and notebooks. I thank my parents,Bill and Helen Campbell,for their support of my various scholarly endeavors,and for their insistence that during my years at Oberlin I pursue not just music but liberal arts as well.Sometimes par- ents see things that the most determined teenager is unable to see for her- self.And my most important debt is owed to my husband,David Corey, with whom I am happy to be continually en voyage. ix
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