On Human Conduct

On Human Conduct (1975) is a significant work by British philosopher Michael Oakeshott. It is considered by many to be his masterpiece. The book is composed of three complex essays that delve into human conduct, civil association, and the nature of the modern European state.1

Oakeshott, a conservative thinker, is known for his critique of rationalism in politics. He argued that rationalism reduces complex human practices, like politics, to abstract principles, disregarding the practical knowledge embedded in tradition and culture. On Human Conduct explores these ideas by examining how individuals interact within a civil association, emphasizing the importance of established practices over purely rationalistic designs.12