Je Hayek konzervativcem?

Mgr. Radim Brňák

Bachelor's thesis

Is Hayek a Conservative Theorist?

Abstract:

V rámci tohoto textu autor analyzuje filosofii rakouského ekonoma a politického filosofa Friedricha Augusta von Hayeka. Cílem práce je poukázat na ty rysy Hayekovy filosofie, které prokazateln nesou prvky konzervatismu. V prbhu svého zkoumání autor provádí komparaci Hayekova smýšlení s filosofií konzervativc, piemž odpovídá i na otázku, pro Hayeka pes mnohé podobnosti - nemžeme považovat za konzervativce. V první a druhé kapitole je poukázáno na blízkost obou pozic z hlediska jejich spoleného uvdomní si nedokonalosti lovka, v pípad Hayeka pak drazu na meze samotného lidského rozumu; stejn tak v kapitole tetí a šesté lze vysledovat zejmou shodu v postoji obou stran k tradici a vlastnictví majetku. Naopak rozdíly v obou filosofiích lze nalézt v otázce autority a také v názoru na konzervativní koncept organické spolenosti; tato témata jsou diskutována v kapitole tvrté a páté. V poslední kapitole, nazvané Touha konzervovat versus odvaha mnit, autor ukazuje na rozpor mezi Hayekem a konzervativci, jenž spoívá v Hayekov daleko vtší odhodlanosti mnit vci. Zárove však upozoruje na nesprávnost pedstavy, že konzervativci zmnám brání a naopak na mnoha píkladech ukazuje, že konzervativci zmny podporují, avšak nabádají provádt je obezetn. V tom se na druhou stranu pozice konzervativc zjevn podobá Hayekovi, který si stejn jako oni uvdomuje, že zmny mají být postupné a mají respektovat tradice. A tak jakkoliv autor uzavírá diskusi tvrzením, že Hayek není konzervativcem (je liberálem), výsledek rozboru Hayekova díla prezentovaný v tomto textu jasn ukazuje, že Hayekova filosofie je v podstat vystavna na konzervativních základech.

Abstract:

In the present work, the author analyses the philosophy of the Austrian economist and political philosopher Friedrich August von Hayek. The goal of the work is to draw attention to those aspects of Hayeks philosophy that demonstrably contain elements of conservatism. In the course of the investigation, the author undertakes a comparison of Hayeks views with the philosophy of recognised conservative thinkers, in which he likewise addresses the question of why Hayek despite many similarities should not be viewed as a conservative. In the first and second chapters, attention is paid to the similarities of both positions in light of their common awareness of human imperfection, and in the case of Hayek, the additional stress on the limits of human reason itself; similarly in chapters three and six, it is possible to discern an evident agreement in the position of both sides towards tradition and property ownership. On the other hand, significant divergences between both philosophies can be found in the question of legitimate authority and in the view of the central conservative concept of the organic society; these themes are addressed in chapters four and five. In the last chapter, entitled The Desire to Conserve versus the Courage to Change, the author presents a significant division between Hayek and conservatism, anchored in Hayeks far greater resolution to change things, though at the same time noting the inaccuracy of the impression that conservatives are invariably opposed to change, revealing through many examples that conservatives do support change but advise that it be performed with care. In this respect, it can indeed be seen that the position of conservatism is indeed similar to that of Hayek, who was himself well aware of the necessity that changes be gradual and respect tradition. And, consequently, inasmuch as the author reaches the conclusion that Hayek is not a conservative but a liberal, the result of the analysis of Hayeks intellectual oeuvre presented in the present work clearly shows that Hayeks philosophy is in essence based on conservative principles.

Keywords

Hayek F. A., autorita, konzervatismus, konzervativci, majetek, meze lidského rozumu, organická spolenost, racionalismus, sociální spravedlnost, spontánní ád, svoboda, svobodný trh, tradice, conservatism, conservatives, free market, legitimate authority, liberty, limits of human reason, organic society, property, rationalism, social justice, spontaneous order, tradition

Language used: Czech

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 5. 2006

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 5. 6. 2006
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Ing. Ondřej Císař, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Bachelor programme / field:
Political Science / Political Science