Scruton argues that the tragedies and disasters of the history of the European continent have been the consequences of a false optimism and the fallacies that derive from it. In place of these fallacies, Scruton mounts a passionate defence of both civil society and freedom. He shows that the true legacy of European civilisation is not the false idealisms that have almost destroyed it - in the shapes of Nazism, fascism and communism - but the culture of forgiveness and irony which we must now protect from those whom it offends. The Uses of Pessimism is a passionate plea for reason and responsibility, written at a time of profound change.
- ISBN10 1848872011
- ISBN13 9781848872011
- Publish Date 1 February 2012 (first published 1 June 2010)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Atlantic Books
- Edition Main
- Format Paperback
- Pages 240
- Language English