Conservatives hold epistemically that we are the results of our unchosen histories

Their position is an essentially epistemic one—that one cannot know the general principles whose implementation would benefit the operation of society. According to Gray, conservatism’s fundamental insight is that

persons’ identities cannot be matters of choice, but are conferred on them by their unchosen histories,

so that what is most essential about them is…what is most accidental.

The conservative vision is that people will come to value the privileges of choice…when they see how much in their lives must always remain unchosen. (2010: 159)

In elucidating conservatism, one should distinguish between the metaethical claim that abstract values do not exist or are not worth pursuing, and the epistemic challenge “how are these values be accessed in practice?” Conservatism is primarily an epistemic standpoint. 

But change must be cautious, because knowledge is imperfect and consequences can be unintended.