Moral Psychology
I see the complementary progressive and reactionary impulses as necessary to the survival of the human species. One provides the drive to innovation and adaptation in the face of challenges new and old. The other puts a brake on rampant change that could pull our fragile system apart: “…the centre cannot hold;…“.
That is not to give credence to a middle position between, for example, the artificial extremes of Liberal and Conservative politics in the United States neither of which represents what it claims.
A recent talk at TED by Jonathan Haidt explores the psychological roots of the two modes of thought. He provides a useful framework to understand our own views.
(via Lubab No More)
Tags: conservatism, liberal, morality, politics, psychology
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Lincoln Cannon said,
October 6, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
“I see the complementary progressive and reactionary impulses as necessary to the survival of the human species.”
I agree, and have sometimes compared the conservative aspect of our community to the skeletal aspect of our anatomy.
Jonathan Blake said,
October 6, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
Interesting metaphor. Perhaps the progressive aspect would then be the muscles. Or maybe conservatism should be the skin keeping our insides from gushing all over the floor.