Различия политических философий либерализма и консервативизма

ENLiberals and conservatives often define the differences between their political philosophies by referring to certain norms and values. This is the simplest way of defining political philosophies. However, it is of little help when representatives of different traditions stand for the same norms and values. In this instance, one has to consider not the differences between norms and values but the differences between philosophies themselves. Liberalism and conservatism differ in the same way as positivistic and hermeneutical philosophy. Liberals have greater trust in the methods of the natural sciences and tend to use them when considering political affairs. Conservatives have faith in the longstanding traditions of cultural life. They tend to be sceptical about scientific ways of coping with social and political problems. They prefer to focus on the moral aspects of political events. Their hopes are related to the common beliefs of human beings rather than to some perspective of a value - neutral political science.