Conservatism and the Oversimplification of Causality
What is conservatism? How does the conservative mind work? It is clear to me that conservatism is linked to the refusal to look at cause-and-effect. If this is so, then Buddha would belong to the camp of progressives. This is so because Buddha emphasized causality.
Growing up in Hong Kong, I observed firsthand how traditional Chinese society, with its conservative values, tends to view social issues like poverty through a lens that often overlooks systemic factors. My parents, for instance, frequently expressed little empathy for the poor, attributing poverty to personal failings such as laziness or lack of ability rather than considering the broader social, economic, or structural influences that contribute to such issues. This inclination to simplify complex societal challenges is a hallmark of what I see as a “conservative mindset,” one that has universal traits across different cultures. Below, I outline the key characteristics of this mindset, showing how conservatism may sometimes prioritize moral judgment over nuanced understanding.
- Moral Absolutism: Conservatives often hold fixed moral convictions, viewing certain behaviors as inherently right or wrong without investigating the conditions that lead people to act in specific ways. This absolutism can reinforce a punitive stance, where the response is focused on…
