Full Idea
The essence of the Liberal outlook lies ...in how opinions are held: instead of being held dogmatically, they are held tentatively (as they are in science), and with a consciousness that new evidence may at any moment lead to their abandonment.
Gist of Idea
Liberal opinions are tentative rather than dogmatic, and are always responsive to new evidence
Source
Bertrand Russell (Philosophy and Politics [1950], p.26)
Book Reference
Russell,Bertrand: 'Unpopular Essays' [Unwin 1990], p.26
A Reaction
A nice assessment. Russell shows himself finally to be a Liberal. This flexible approach to opinions is what infuriates dogmatists from both the left and the right. It might be said that the basic evidence rarely changes.