Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Conservative Mind summary
Russell Kirk
From Burke to Eliot
15 mins
Brief summary
The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk explores the origins and evolution of conservative thought. Kirk argues that conservatism is more than a political ideology, but a way of life rooted in tradition and virtue.
Table of Contents
The Conservative Mind
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
A conservative is guided by a moralistic higher power. God exists and influences everything we do.
Conservatism as a movement didn’t really come into being until 1790, with the publishing of Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France.
Burke’s book was the first to make people aware of the arguments and convictions of conservatives. While many other thinkers have since added their own contributions, conservative thinkers all share one thing in common: strong religious beliefs.
Conservatives believe that there is a higher power which manifests itself in us and in our actions. For most conservatives, this higher power is the Christian God. They believe that the presence of God can be felt inside each individual.
According to Burke, reason, revelation and an assurance beyond the senses all strongly signify that God both exists and is omniscient. After all, so many people believe that God is real; this must mean that God exists. If not, where could these beliefs have originated?
God's will can be seen through human history as it has developed under God’s divine influence. Because God influences our lives greatly, every thought or action that endures the test of time (like societal traditions) is very likely to be an expression of God's will. Otherwise, such thoughts or actions simply could not have survived rapid and violent societal changes.
Not only does God exist, but also we need to constantly remind ourselves of God’s influence. Life would lose its meaning if we ignored the influence of a higher power.
In the conservative mind-set, God’s influence extends over all our actions. Say you entered into a business contract. You suddenly realize that you could break the contract without anyone ever finding out.
If this were so, then the only thing that might stop you from breaking your contractual promise is the belief that the document represents an even higher form of promise, that is, something divinely sanctioned by God. Breaking the contract then would be deeply, morally wrong.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Conservative Mind?
Key ideas in The Conservative Mind
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Conservative Mind about?
The Conservative Mind (1953) offers insights into the axioms that underpin modern conservative thought by looking at conservatism’s historical roots.
The Conservative Mind Review
The Conservative Mind (1953) is a thought-provoking exploration of the history and principles of conservatism that every reader should consider. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its detailed examination of conservative thinkers throughout history, it offers a comprehensive view of the ideology's foundations.
- The book highlights the enduring importance of traditional values and their relevance in shaping modern society, making it an essential resource for understanding conservatism.
- Through its engaging analysis and compelling arguments, the book challenges preconceived notions and encourages critical thinking, ensuring it will never bore its readers.
Best quote from The Conservative Mind
Either order in the cosmos is real, or all is chaos.
—Russell Kirk
Who should read The Conservative Mind?
- Historians studying the development of conservative thought
- Students of political science curious about the history of conservatism
- People interested in politics and American history
Categories with The Conservative Mind
Book summaries like The Conservative Mind
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
31 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Conservative Mind FAQs
What is the main message of The Conservative Mind?
The main message of The Conservative Mind is to understand the importance of conserving tradition and embracing timeless principles.
How long does it take to read The Conservative Mind?
The reading time for The Conservative Mind depends on the individual reader's pace. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in a matter of minutes.
Is The Conservative Mind a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Conservative Mind is worth reading for its insightful exploration of conservatism and its impact on society.
Who is the author of The Conservative Mind?
Russell Kirk is the author of The Conservative Mind.
What to read after The Conservative Mind?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Conservative Mind, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Self-Made Billionaire Effect by John Sviokla and Mitch Cohen
- Saving Aziz by Chad Robichaux with David L. Thomas
- Testing Business Ideas by David J. Bland and Alexander Osterwalder
- Free Speech by Jacob Mchangama
- Elevate by Joseph Deitch
- Moore’s Law by Arnold Thackray
- Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
- Boost! by Michael Bar-Eli
- Licence to be Bad by Jonathan Aldred
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace