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Born: October 19, 1918 - Plymouth, Michigan
Died: April 29, 1994 - Mecosta, Michigan
| Excerpt from The Conservative Mind |
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 o review conservative ideas, examining their validity for this perplexed age, is the purpose of this book, which does not pretend to be a history of conservative parties. This study is a prolonged essay in definition. What is the essence of British and American conservatism? What sentiments, common to England and the United States, have sustained men of conservative impulse in their resistance against radical theories and social transformation ever since the beginning of the French Revolution?"
Link to the work
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Teaching Topics in Social Studies
Russell Kirk is credited with shaping modern CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL thought. In The Conservative Mind Kirk discovers common spirit among historical figures that are rarely associated.
For instance, he PHILOSOPHICALLY ties together the ideas of JOHN ADAMS, JOHN C. CALHOUN, EDMOND BURKE, JAMES FENIMORE COOPER and T.S.ELIOT among others. In general The Conservative Mind can be used as a resource for understanding the conservative viewpoint as it pertains to POLITICS, EDUCATION, HISTORY, LAW , and LITERATURE. Furthermore, Russell Kirk attacks the LIBERAL IDEOLOGY of Russian Theorist KARL MARX.
Teaching Topics in Language Arts
In The Conservative Mind Russell Kirk writes with a methodical and almost scientific STYLE. He examines the LITERARY ideas of some of the most revered authors in History.
| Scavenger Hunt |
| What former United States president credited Russell Kirk for 'inspiring a generation' after World War II?
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The subtitle of The Conservative Mind is From Burke to Eliot. Kirk analyzes the LITERARY CONCEPTS of authors from EDMOND BURKE to T.S. ELIOT. Overall, The Conservative Mind is a PHILISOPHICAL discussion of history and of human behavior throughout history. This premise can be overwhelming and complicated. However, the basis of Russell Kirk's theory is that the lifetime of a person is a link from past to future. He asserts that HUMAN NATURE is unchanging and therefore requires order. Russell Kirk also wrote several fictional novels and short stories.
| Facts About Russell Kirk and The Conservative Mind |
- Russell Kirk never learned to drive a car
- He is the only American to hold the highest arts degree (earned) of the senior Scottish university -- doctor of letters of St. Andrews
- Russell Kirk received twelve honorary doctorate degrees from American universities
- In Mecosta, Michigan he converted a toy factory into his library and office
- He held public debates with such thinkers as Ayn Rand and Malcolm X
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