"Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what they are conserving"

The quote by Robertson Davies, "Their extremely conservatism is pre-owned, and they do not know what they are conserving", suggests a review of a specific method to conservatism that does not have depth or genuine understanding. To interpret this, it is essential to think about the nuanced distinctions between different types of conservatism and the implications of a "secondhand" ideology.

In essence, Davies is mentioning that some people who recognize as conservatives do so not out of a personal, deeply-held belief system however rather through an obtained or acquired set of concepts and practices. A "secondhand" conservatism suggests that the person's beliefs are not directly derived from individual conviction, reflection, or experience, however are adopted from others-- possibly from household, neighborhood norms, or social expectations-- without crucial evaluation or an individual connection to the values they purportedly promote.

This can result in a superficial understanding of conservatism, where individuals hold on to standard views or resist change not due to the fact that they really understand the reasons behind those customs or what is of value in preserving them however just because they are accustomed to them or see them as part of their identity. The phrase "they do not understand what they are conserving" emphasizes this absence of awareness or self-questioning. It suggests that these people might be defending ideologies, practices, or institutions without understanding their origins, purposes, or true significance.

This review invites a broader reflection on the value of seriously engaging with one's beliefs. It recommends that genuine conservatism needs to involve a thoughtful, educated commitment to saving what is genuinely important in culture, society, or politics. Such an approach would need constant learning, questioning, and contextualizing one's beliefs within the bigger historical and cultural frameworks. In so doing, people can ensure that their conservative stance is genuinely their own, rooted in an understanding of why maintaining particular elements of the past is important to them and their community.