Table 1 Principles and brief definitions as established by Kirk [37, 38]

Moral Order

Human nature is a constant, and moral truths are permanent.

Custom, Convention, and Continuity

Custom: enables people to live together peaceably.

Convention: contrive to avoid perpetual disputes about rights and duties

Continuity: the means of linking generation to generation.

Prescription

Things established by immemorial usage, so that the mind of humans do not run to the contrary.

Prudence

Public measures ought to be judged by its probable long-range consequences, not merely by temporary advantage or popularity.

Variety

Affection for the proliferating intricacy of long-established social institutions and modes of life.

Imperfectability

Human nature suffers irremediably from certain grave faults.

Freedom and Property Linkage

Freedom and property are closely linked.

Voluntary community and Involuntary Collectivism

A successful spirit of community is made locally and voluntarily.

A distant political direction that is centralized and uninterested can become hostile.

Prudent restraints upon power and human passions

A just government maintains a healthy tension between the claims of authority and the claims of liberty.

Permanence and Change

The Permanence of a society is formed by those enduring interests and convictions that give stability and continuity.

Progression is that spirit and that body of talents which urges one toward prudent reform and improvement.