Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke (1729–1797) was an Irish statesman, philosopher, and political theorist who is often regarded as the father of modern conservatism. He served as a member of parliament in the British House of Commons and is best known for his support of the American Revolutionaries, his opposition to the French Revolution, and his influential political treatise, 'Reflections on the Revolution in France.' Burke's work has had a lasting impact on political thought and the practice of modern statesmanship.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Reflections on the Revolution in France
This book is a political pamphlet written in the 18th century, where the author criticizes the French Revolution, arguing that it has gone too far in its quest for radical change. He asserts that the revolutionaries, in their rejection of tradition and their embrace of abstract notions of liberty and equality, have overlooked the complexities of real social and political life. The author advocates for gradual, prudent reform rather than sudden, violent change and emphasizes the importance of tradition and inherited institutions.
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2. A Philosophical Enquiry Into...The Sublime And Beautiful
This 18th-century treatise explores the nature and causes of two distinct aesthetic concepts: the sublime and the beautiful. The author argues that the sublime is rooted in experiences of awe, terror, and vastness, which can overwhelm the senses and provoke a feeling of the greatness beyond human comprehension. In contrast, the beautiful is associated with qualities of harmony, smoothness, and gentleness, eliciting pleasure and affection. The work delves into the psychological responses these concepts evoke and examines their influence on art and society, establishing a framework that has influenced aesthetic theory and the philosophy of art.
