Modern liberalism, for most liberals is not a consciously understood set of rational beliefs, but a bundle of unexamined prejudices and conjoined sentiments. The basic ideas and beliefs seem more satisfactory when they are not made fully explicit, when they merely lurk rather obscurely in the background, coloring the rhetoric and adding a certain emotive glow.
Interpretation
Modern liberalism often consists of unexamined beliefs and sentiments rather than rational thought.
In this quote, James Burnham suggests that many liberals may not be fully aware of the foundational beliefs that underpin their ideology. Instead, these beliefs linger in the subconscious, influencing their rhetoric and emotional responses without being critically examined, which can lead to a lack of clarity and rationality in their approach to liberalism.
In practice
In a discussion about political ideologies, you might use this quote to emphasize the importance of critical thinking.
The very good people didn't convince me; I felt they'd never been tempted. But you knew; you understood; you had felt the world outside tugging at one with all its golden hands — and yet you hated the things it asks of one; you hated happiness bought by disloyalty and cruelty and indifference.
That is a dream also; only he has remained asleep, while you have awakened; and who knows which of you is the most fortunate?
There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of wealth; this is the economic means. The other is the uncompensated appropriation of wealth produced by others; this is the political means.
The opposite of manliness isn't cowardice; it's technology.
A 'good job' can be both practically attractive while still not good enough to devote your entire life to.
The prodigious waste of human life occasioned by this perpetual struggle for room and food, was more than supplied by the mighty power of population, acting, in some degree, unshackled, from the constant habit of emigration.
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