State solutions are imposed from above; they are often without corrective devices, and cannot easily be reversed on the proof of failure. Their inflexibility goes hand in hand with their planned and goal-directed nature, and when they fail, the efforts of the state are directed not to changing them but to changing people’s belief that they have failed. – Roger Scruton
Like Thomas Sowell, Milton Friedman and others, Roger Scruton quotes seem obvious, but they also show great wisdom. Even after his death on January 12, 2020, the quote above rings true with the present nonsense from all governments – villages, cities, states, countries, and especially the pan-national World Health Organization. Ricochet includes many conversations about Scruton, including those on Conservatism and Good Things in the Quote of the Day series.
As a conservative who enjoys art, architecture, and music, I was introduced to Roger Scruton about 3 years ago in this Beauty video. What impressed me was his approach to beauty, which could include rough items, while dismissing modern art that only exists to shock.
Scruton’s first book was Art and Imagination (1974), followed by The Aesthetics of Architecture (1979). Here he explains the dilemma of removing buildings willy-nilly:
I’m not against tearing down buildings that are unsafe, but cost-effective renovations should be strongly considered.
Scruton is also well known for writing The Aesthetics of Music (1997). Finally, a short (12 minute) video discussing Roger’s thoughts on Why Intellectuals are Mostly Left:
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