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Edmund Burke and rational dissent
Citation
Fitzpatrick, M and Page, A, Edmund Burke and rational dissent, The Reception of Edmund Burke in Europe, Bloomsbury Publishing, P Jones and M Fitzpatrick (ed), London, pp. 55-73. ISBN 9781441196651 (2017) [Research Book Chapter]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2017 Martin Fitzpatrick and Peter Jones
Official URL: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-reception-of-edm...
Abstract
This essay discusses the relationship between Edmund Burke and the rational Dissenters who were an important reformist element within the British Enlightenment. The first section examines Burke's attitude towards Dissent, especially rational Dissent; the second looks at Joseph Priestley's perception of Burke; and the final section looks at the attitude of a provincial rational Dissenter, Samuel Kenrick, through his correspondence with his Scottish friend Rev. James Wodrow. Rational Dissenters formed a loose but powerful grouping within Protestant Dissent. They were usually highly educated, liberal in theology and many were forcefully heterodox, becoming Unitarian in theology. In politics they were reformist, covering a spectrum from moderate to radical. They were considerable self-publicists and played a major role in the media. Forming 'a sort of cultural imperium in imperio' (Lincoln 1938, 53), and an incipient middle class, they were subject to discriminatory laws that gave an edge to their self-understanding. During the American Revolution they would be natural allies of Burke, but subsequently they would become his natural enemies. For Burke, as L. G. Mitchell has noted, 'religious dissent of all kinds acquired a demonic character' (Writings and Speeches, 8:8).
Item Details
Item Type: | Research Book Chapter |
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Keywords: | Edmund Burke, rational dissent |
Research Division: | History, Heritage and Archaeology |
Research Group: | Historical studies |
Research Field: | British history |
Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in history, heritage and archaeology |
UTAS Author: | Page, A (Dr Anthony Page) |
ID Code: | 90885 |
Year Published: | 2017 |
Deposited By: | Office of the School of Humanities |
Deposited On: | 2014-04-30 |
Last Modified: | 2018-04-27 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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