Browse by:

Why read Oakeshott?

Some years ago I commissioned Noël O’Sullivan to contribute to the program for inaugural conference of Michael Oakeshott Association in 2001 which was held at the LSE. This is his beautifully crafted essay and is a companion piece to Ken Minogue’s portrait. ================================= When Leslie Marsh asked me to talk about the apparently simple subject, ‘Why…

Michael Oakeshott as a Character

In light of the level of interest shown in the Oakeshott audio that I recently posted, I thought this beautifully crafted personal portrait by one of the people who knew him longest, might act as a nice complement to further flesh out Oakeshott the man.  It’s by Ken Minogue, who was for many years, Oakeshott’s colleague and friend.…

Andrew Sullivan Lecture: On conservatism

Andrew Sullivan, a fascinating melange of Oakeshottian (and a dash of Hayekeanism), gay activist and practicing Catholic, here discussing his book The Conservative Soul.  Andrew’s target is primarily the co-option of religious fundamentalism into the public arena – a cast of mind that is neither religious nor political, nor indeed “conservative” since these folk have a radical agenda. For more on…

Pushing the Bounds of Embodiment

1. The one and only Sylvie Guillem – aesthetics meets physical prowess Evidentia 2. Grandmaster Sifu Ip Chun  Wing Chun: calm, power, sensitivity and simplicity (I had the privilege of 60 seconds of Chi Sau with Sifu Ip Chun – no, this is not me in the clip). My teachers were Michael Tse who was a student…

BBC audio: Oakeshott on the Philosophy of History

Recently I’ve had several requests for this recording which has been buried under umpteen other posts since it was first posted some thirteen years ago. The University Programme: Arts – Philosophy of History by Michael J. Oakeshott. Originally broadcast by the BBC 13.1.48 (13 minutes). Transcript There will always be some subjects of study which, in…