Schlesinger Presents Argument of 'Liberal Versus Conservative'

Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. '38, professor of History, writing in yesterday's New York Times Magazine, defined a liberal as one who "believes that society can and should be improved" by applying "human intelligence to social and economic problems."

His article appeared in a debate on "Conservatism vs. Liberalism." Russell Kirk, defending the conservative point of view, cited "the mind of Hawthorne," which, he said, was "suspicious of change, skeptical of progress, convinced of the terrible power of sin," as the prototype of American Conservatism. He said that liberal reforms do not of necessity bring "prosperity, security, and liberty," and that they tend "to make us identical units in a monolithic society."

Schlesinger argued that the Republic is strong enough to withstand reform, and that "even conservatism comes in time to cherish most of the reform it has so bitterly fought."

Kirk, an author and educator, will appear before the Student Council Debate on academic freedom here Friday.