From:"Michael Larson" <larsonovic AT gmail.com> Date:Thu, Oct 8, 2015 at 8:31 PM Subject:Re: [percy-l] Percy, liberal or conservative
Janet,
I think it depends on how one defines the terms, "liberal" and "conservative." Modern Americans tend to define that continuum based on positions taken with regard to certain divisive moral issues--like abortion
and gay rights, at present (though the issues have been different at different times)--and leave it at that. The root of conservatism, however, lies in the belief that there is an objective moral order and that society is best when it conserves whatever has been learned (or revealed) about that order and tries to live in harmony with it. The root of liberalism lies in the belief that there is no objective moral order and that therefore the will of the individual or, when there is conflict between individuals, the will of the greatest number of individuals, is best for society.
By these definitions, at least, Percy was a conservative.