Single Idea 23129

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / g. Liberalism critique]

Full Idea

The right-wing critique of liberalism is largely an attack on its overreliance on reason; the left-wing one, mostly an attack on its false faith in reform.

Gist of Idea

Right-wingers attack liberal faith in reason, left-wingers attack its faith in reform

Source

Adam Gopnik (A Thousand Small Sanities [2019], 2)

Book Reference

Gopnik,Adam: 'A Thousand Small Sanities' [riverrun 2019], p.84


A Reaction

I doubt whether sensible liberals do rely too much on reason, though they do rely of scientific evidence (after peer review!). No one can doubt that lots of reforms have occurred, so it must be frustration with the very slow process.