What we’re about
We are about exploring the political and social philosophy, history and way of life of conservatism. Conservatism differs from classical liberalism and libertarianism in emphasising the rootedness of humans in communities with a shared history. In the Anglo-American tradition, true freedom emerges from these group histories, it is not an abstract ideal imposed artificially.
Our group will meet together with a presentation and discussion of relevant books by conservative figures past and present, including Edmund Burke, Russel Kirk, Sir Roger Scruton, Yoram Hazony and the post-liberal Catholic thinkers such as Patrick Deneen. No prior knowledge is necessary, only genuine good faith inquiry and willingness to share knowledge of this great but neglected and sorely-needed tradition.
Meetings will be live around the Sydney CBD area. And feel free to join our sister group, the Sydney Conservative Social & Discussion Forum
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Romancing the Primitive - The Myth of the Ecological AborigineCheers Sports Bar & Grill, Sydney, NS
Why is there so much mythologising of traditional Aboriginal life and culture?
Why is this seemingly beyond question?
William J Lines is known more for his writing on conservation but has turned his attention to the break from science and liberalism that he now sees at work in the unquestioning reverance for Aboriginal culture we see about us today.
From the back cover:
'This book is about civilisation’s discontents, those who have idealised people outside of civilisation, imagining they lead happy, fulfilling lives at peace with one another and in harmony with the world around them. For most of this time, romanticising this ‘other’ constituted one strand in the thick rope of Western thought and reflection and knowledge of the human heart. Today, however, romanticising the primitive dominates Australian intellectual and cultural life, becoming an obsession and virtually a religion. The once single fibre now constitutes almost the entire rope.
Romancing the Primitive: The Myth of the Ecological Aborigine traces the roots of this religion, surveying primitivism — the unending revolt of the civilised against civilisation — from Hesiod to Tacitus, from the Medieval Church to Montaigne, from Rousseau to the twentieth-century Australian environment movement and its apotheosis in the works of Henry Reynolds, Bill Gammage, Bruce Pascoe, and Peter Sutton.
Romancing the Primitive defends science against superstition and liberalism against thralldom, seeking to reinstate genuine intellectual inquiry and discovery and build debate on real information. Along the way, the narrative critically visits the Uluru statement, the High Court and education in Australian schools and universities.'I (Paul) will review the book
Unfortunately there is no online version of the book
You can purchase it direct from the publisher, the wonderful Quadrant magazine at https://quadrant.org.au/product/romancing-the-primitive/
A great way to support Aussie authors and publishing, especially those who are usually ignored by the mainstream!!
