Ambrose Bierce observed in The Devil's Dictionary that a conservative
was a politician who is enamored of existing evils, as opposed to the
liberal, who wishes to replace them with new ones. This is slightly
complicated by the present situation, where some "liberal" evils are
existing and "conservatives" want change.
Discussing individual views on particular topics seems more promising
than the general terms of liberal or conservative.
Several topics relating to science and faith get tangled into the
liberal and conservative labels. Some assume that non-YEC implies
wild liberal. The lack of concern for the present-day state of
creation associated with some YEC seems to closely parallel political
"conservative" pro-industry views. On the other hand, William
Jennings Bryan was a populist. The issue of teaching evolution,
earth history, etc. in public schools has obvious political
dimensions. "Liberal" views on ethical issues are often
misassociated with evolution, either to justify them to "liberals" or
to discredit evolution to "conservatives". The general label of
conservative or liberal seems to function more to discredit or
endorse than to inform.
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted
Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
Droitgate Spa
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