General Discussion

In truth, there is one particular bit of liberal dogma that aids on the conservative disinterest in facts: centrism.

This liberal ideal – which Paul Krugman aptly describes as “The Cult of Centrism”– insists that to be right, one must see all sides, and give all views equal weight. It is similar to science in that it believes reality can best be ascertained by letting advocates of different sides battle it out, and the view most able to withstand challenges is the most “true” one. Usually, the liberal assumes, the truth is somewhere in between.

Liberals tend to gravitate toward professions like academia, science and journalism which value objectivity and determining facts from evidence. Liberal/centrists like to see themselves as able to keep their biases in check, and particularly delight in being attacked by “both extremes.” A liberal/centrist is wary of espousing “liberal” views because it is when espousing views they actually believe they are most in danger of appearing biased. A liberal naturally wants to “rise above” the fray and take their place in the sensible middle, arrived at logically, and derive particular joy from being able to cite those instances where they deviate from their own “team’s” orthodoxy.

Rather than hierarchical, liberal/centrism is more likely to see morality as relative, is different viewpoints as equally valid, and assume we all earnestly seek the truth by evaluating the evidence, are all susceptible to bias but all do our best to see beyond them.