A Study Of Oakeshott’s Individualism

Since modern times,individualism,as a mainstream political and social trend of thought in the West,has been leading the change of politics,economy,society and culture in the West,and it is also the research topic that many scholars pay the most attention to.As one of the most important political philosophers in the 20 th century,Michael Oakeshott is no exception,and individualism is the core part of his ideological system.However,up to now,the domestic academic circle has not made a comprehensive and overall study of Oakeshott’s individualism.Therefore,the research of this subject can not only enrich and develop the domestic academic research on Oakeshott,but also re-examine the political culture of western capitalism from a comparative perspective,and think deeply about the construction path of socialist political culture in China,so as to promote the construction of socialist modernization in China.On the basis of extensive and in-depth literature reading,this paper analyzes the background and origin of the formation of individualism from the political,ideological and cultural background of Oakeshott’s time.This paper expounds the philosophical basis of Oakeshott’s individualism thought from the aspects of hermeneutic philosophy,empiricism,moral view and rule of law,which is also the theoretical sublimation of Oakeshott’s British idealism and personal ethics.Oakeshott’s ideological system of individualism--the value theory,political thought and economic thought of individualism--is constructed from the aspects of individual dignity,individual purpose,the relationship between individual and society,individual and government,individual and the rule of law,individual private property,economic freedom,individual and "anti-individual".Through the above analysis and introduction,an objective and accurate evaluation of Oakeshott’s individualism is finally formed.Oakeshott’s individualism has the characteristics of experience and conservatism.Experience comes from tradition and can guide reality and promote development.Conservative means respecting history and being cautious about change.In addition,Oakeshott’s construction of the rule of law is full of idealism,but for Oakeshott,who lived in the turbulence and war of the 20 th century,the desire for the "ideal country" is inevitable.Although his political thought and political construction have certain idealism,the research value is beyond doubt,which is worthy of our in-depth study and research.