Truth as our cornerstone and its conservation - a short reflection.

Saint Augustine said, "You will never be able to say that [Truth] belongs particularly to you or to me or to any man, for it is available and offers itself to be shared by all who discerns things immutably true." 1

Conservative thinking

Conservatism is the moral and intellectual disposition to preserve ideas over time regardless of the human or historic context. Conservatism is not a monolithic identity label though some conservatives care more about ideas than others. People associate religiousness with conservative thought, but this may not always be true. In many cases, a conservative will engage in discussion with others and not appeal to their faith or religious principles. However, it is true that the notion of truth is perhaps the most important principle for conservatives and Christian individuals. The truth is, as Augustine said, there, available to those willing to discover it.

Even here at conservamus, not everyone will hold the same opinions. Nevertheless, we believe in the importance of protecting some fundamental truths. Furthermore, we must remember that the notion of fundamental truth is not a divine reality that requires cult-like devotion. Instead, it refers to those truths that anchor the values that have allowed humanity to thrive.

Looking beyond the limitation and complications of epistemic and moral relativism, it seems evident that individuals who wish to live and thrive together in a network of free and consensual associations, economic or personal, need a system of values that will not collapse under the weight of individual disagreements. In what follows, I wish to introduce to you, dear reader, those fundamental truths that authors here at conservamus share that may resonate with you, a fellow conservative.

Truth

Simply put, we deny the notion that truth is relative. We maintain that objective truth is not problematic as it serves as the grounds for healthy debate and interaction. Indeed, it is the cornerstone of education as the process of leading someone and ourselves out of ignorance. And while, at times, it may seem as if the truth is pragmatic, we maintain that certain things one cannot compromise. Therefore, instead of listing individual conservative talking points, I think it would serve you better to understand our approach and some values we find worth conserving.

Liberty and Responsibility.

Responsibility presupposes liberty which in turn presupposes a particular view of human ontology. On this point, some of us will hold slightly different perspectives, but we have agreed that human beings express their being through free actions–this is a fundamental truth. So while you, the reader, may not think much about what constitutes being human (ontology), we hope that you can agree that liberty as the freedom of thought and action remains intact as we each face the life circumstances that force us to take action every day of our lives. Furthermore, we maintain that no external force is legitimate when it interferes with an individual’s freedom. On this last point, a government is a prime example of external power, but evidently, individuals interfere with another’s liberties too.

Responsibility is born of liberty. Conserving liberty means we desire that individuals be intellectually mature enough to understand that their freedom goes hand in hand with accepting the consequences of their actions. While we can collectively fight real and ongoing limitations on our freedoms, in the end, responsibility means that each person is always responsible for the happiness and fulfillment of their own life. Ultimately, we say in the words of Mises that “freedom really means the freedom to make mistakes.” 2

Conservative Values

Conservative values are sometimes at odds with how individuals may choose to express their liberties. In these cases, the principles of liberty force us to resist the urge the demand that certain activities be stopped or banned. In these cases, we may find specific actions or positions immoral. We will have no issues condemning these actions because they do not adhere to the most fundamental truths– truths of general historical and scientific consensus and conservative values. However, we do not advocate using an external force to conform others to live by conservative values, nor will we be bullied into accepting or supporting what is most obviously immoral or false.

Dear reader, welcome to conservamus!

Omar Moreno

Editor Conservamus.

1. Augustine, On Free Will, 2.12,33, Augustine: Earlier Writings, trans. John H. S. Burleigh (London: SCM Press, 1953).
2. Mises, Economic Policy: Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow, 22. (Auburn AL: Mises Institue, 2006).