B2 – Upper Intermediate
Chesterton’s Fence is a principle of not destroying things without fully understanding the purpose of their existence. It is a principle that reminds us to think before we destroy or reform a tradition, law, or rule. If we were to remove such things without pondering their purpose, we might face some unintended consequences.
But where does this principle apply in other aspects of the world we live in.
To find out more about Chesterton’s defense of conservation, watch the video below.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “axe” mean here, “As a result, the firm makes pennies on the nuts, but spends thousands hiring new engineers, all because the reformer didn’t understand the purpose of the policy he axed.” Use this word to make your own sentence and give a synonym.
- Define “rule of thumb”. “Chesterton’s Fence is a simple rule of thumb that suggests that you should never destroy a fence, change a rule, or do away with a tradition until you understand why it’s there in the first place.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.
- What does “to drop dead” mean? ” “And so millions of people hit noisy pots and pans to prevent sparrows from resting, with the goal of causing them to drop dead from exhaustion.” Use this idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your thoughts on this statement, “If a fence exists, there is likely a reason for it.“
- Do you believe that the Chesterton’s Fence theory is a good principle to live by? Why or why not?
- What lessons can we learn from those who do not follow the principle?
- How can Chesterton’s Fence can be applied to everyday life, government, and business?
- Talk about a situation where someone ignored the idea of the Chesterton’s Fence and its unintended consequences.
2 replies on “Chesterton’s Fence Theory”
Share your thoughts on this statement, “If a fence exists, there is likely a reason for it.“
Yes, I agree. Maybe that fence not have any practical reason to exist, but maybe it is there for decoration or is a symbolic stuff for someone and that´s the reason.
Do you believe that the Chesterton’s Fence theory is a good principle to live by? Why or why not?
Yes, I think that we aren’t nobody to judge about the stuffs that exist, if that thing not deprive freedoms, as women’s suffrage law, dictatorial symbols or bull fighting
What lessons can we learn from those who do not follow the principle?
That people maybe do their live without thinking in consequences and they only thing in themselves. Or they thing have other values that make them change the things in this world.
How can Chesterton’s Fence can be applied to everyday life, government, and business?
I think that it depends about the context. How I mentioned before, I think that we can change thing that deprive freedoms. But in the other hand, I think that some stuff we consider useless still have meanings in order to exist.
Talk about a situation where someone ignored the idea of the Chesterton’s Fence and its unintended consequences.
I can mention the story told in the video that happened in China about the 50`s. They remove a lot of animals that they didn’t want in their environment and they had a letal crisis because of a plague of bugs that ate all their resources.
Interesting take on the Chesterton’s Fence Theory!
See how this sentence can be revised:
Keep practicing your writing skills.