Toward a Rational Theory of Tradition: Order, Knowledge, and Tradition

Abstract

We have no idea why we do traditional things, so we rationalize explanations. We assume “the enlightened” are right to replace grown institutions with what explicit reason dictates. But reason—rationality—lies in the fact that groups who followed those traditions survived and displaced those who did not. We resulted from group selection, not explicit reason. Minds and culture developed concurrently. This chapter develops ramifications of evolution, fundamental social phenomena—the economy of knowledge and division of labor. They allow spontaneously ordered systems to provide for disparate, often conflicting, ends for individuals without common goals. Market orders use ignorance to pursue unique ends because they are not decided in advance, so are not restricted to common ends. Markets depend upon constraints (general rules) specifying only a framework in which the game of catallaxy is played. Utilizing that function is the superior power of liberalism—“improvements” would actually destroy civilization and society.