Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 2 of 3), Essay 2: Turgot

Key themes

The Challenge of Enlightened Reform

Morley meticulously details Turgot's attempts to implement rational, just, and economically sound reforms (e.g., free trade, abolition of corvée, tax equity) in a society deeply entrenched in privilege, tradition, and self-interest. The theme explores the immense difficulty, and often tragedy, of introducing progressive change against powerful, conservative opposition.

The Role of Reason and Integrity in Governance

Morley champions Turgot as a paragon of Enlightenment thought, demonstrating how reason, economic theory, and unwavering philosophical principles can be applied to practical administration and statecraft. The essay implicitly argues for the superiority of rational, evidence-based policy and moral integrity over tradition, superstition, and self-serving dogma in effective governance.

The Tragedy of Unheeded Wisdom

A central tragic element of the essay is Morley's assertion that Turgot's dismissal and the subsequent abandonment of his reforms were a catastrophic missed opportunity that directly paved the way for the violence and chaos of the French Revolution. This theme explores the idea that societal decline can be hastened when wise counsel and necessary reforms are rejected by those in power.

Worth discussing

To what extent does Morley present Turgot as a tragic hero? What qualities contribute to this portrayal, and is it entirely justified?