Roger Scruton
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Sir Roger Vernon Scruton
Common Aliases: Roger Scruton
Birth and Death Dates
Born: February 27, 1944
Died: January 12, 2020
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: British
Professions: Philosopher, Writer, Public Commentator, Academic
Early Life and Background
Roger Scruton was born in Buslingthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, and grew up in a modest household. His father, a schoolteacher, and his mother, a homemaker, instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and curiosity. Scruton attended the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe before earning a scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied moral sciences. His early exposure to the intellectual rigor of Cambridge laid the foundation for his lifelong engagement with philosophy and the humanities.
Scruton's formative years were marked by the cultural upheavals of the 1960s, which he observed with a critical eye. His experiences during this period, particularly witnessing the student protests in Paris in 1968, profoundly influenced his conservative outlook. This ideological stance would become a defining feature of his career and writings.
Major Accomplishments
Roger Scruton was a prolific writer and thinker, contributing significantly to the fields of aesthetics, political philosophy, and cultural criticism. He held academic positions at several prestigious institutions, including Birkbeck College, University of London, and later as a visiting professor at the University of St Andrews and the University of Oxford.
In 1982, Scruton founded The Salisbury Review, a conservative political journal that provided a platform for his ideas and those of like-minded thinkers. His work in academia and publishing established him as a leading voice in conservative thought, earning him a knighthood in 2016 for his services to philosophy, teaching, and public education.
Notable Works or Actions
Scruton's bibliography is extensive, with over 50 books to his name. Among his most influential works are "The Meaning of Conservatism" (1980), which articulated a robust defense of conservative principles, and "How to Be a Conservative" (2014), where he explored the relevance of conservatism in the modern world. His book "Beauty" (2009) is a seminal text in aesthetics, offering a compelling argument for the importance of beauty in human life.
Beyond his written work, Scruton was an active public intellectual, frequently engaging in debates and discussions on contemporary issues. His ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible manner made him a sought-after speaker and commentator.
Impact and Legacy
Roger Scruton's impact on contemporary thought is profound and enduring. He was a staunch defender of Western cultural heritage and a critic of modernity's excesses, advocating for a return to traditional values and the preservation of cultural institutions. His work has influenced a generation of conservative thinkers and policymakers, shaping debates on topics ranging from architecture to environmentalism.
Scruton's legacy is also evident in his contributions to the philosophy of aesthetics, where he championed the idea that beauty is a fundamental aspect of human experience. His writings continue to inspire those who seek to understand the role of beauty and tradition in a rapidly changing world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Roger Scruton is widely quoted and remembered for his eloquent defense of conservatism and his insightful critiques of contemporary culture. His ability to distill complex philosophical ideas into clear, compelling arguments has made his work accessible to a broad audience. Scruton's quotes often reflect his deep appreciation for beauty, tradition, and the moral underpinnings of society, resonating with those who value these principles.
His legacy as a public intellectual and philosopher endures through his extensive body of work, which continues to be a source of inspiration and debate. Scruton's commitment to engaging with the pressing issues of his time, combined with his unwavering belief in the power of ideas, ensures that his voice remains influential in discussions about the future of society and culture.
Quotes by Roger Scruton
Roger Scruton's insights on:
The world of art, I have suggested, is full of fakes. Fake originality, fake emotion and the fake expertise of the critics - these are all around us and in such abundance that we hardly know where to look for the real thing. Or perhaps there is no real thing?
What the word conservative means is not putting things back but conserving them. There are things that are threatened and you love them, so you want to keep them.
My main argument is that environmental destruction comes when people externalise their costs and pass them on to future generations. That is obviously something that large enterprises do and they become large by doing it.
Given the right to - given the opportunity to vote, I voted for Brexit because I've never approved really of the European Union, I never approved of it because of its attempts to confiscate national sovereignty in all the issues that matter.
Certainly the multicultural activists in the Labour party and the universities wanted to destroy the old white Anglo-Saxon education system as they saw it, and produce something completely different - with no conception of what that completely different thing would be, of course.
Conservatives hold on to things not only because they are attached to them, but also because they do not see the sense in radical change, until someone has told them what it will lead to.
Perhaps the world of art is just one vast pretence, in which we all take part since, after all, there is no real cost to it, except to those like Charles Saatchi, rich enough to splash out on junk?
There is a chapter in 'Gentle Regrets' called 'Coming Home' which is really me expressing my later admiration for my father's public spirit.
I am a conservative thinker, well known as such, outspoken as such but reasonable in my view.