What Should Evolve, and What Deserves Preservation?

This age-old question lies at the heart of political debates. Reflecting on the recent U.S. election brought me back to this topic, as I considered the contrasting intuitions between conservative and progressive perspectives.

To invite you into a more open mindset, I’d like to set aside the political context for a moment and begin with something more personal. I believe that, within each of us, both conservative and progressive intuitions coexist, each with its own wisdom.

Start by thinking about something you deeply value in your life — a relationship with a beloved person, an activity you enjoy, or a place you love. Now, imagine your life without it. Do you feel a desire to protect this aspect of your life? If so, you’ve just tapped into your conservative intuition — the impulse to preserve what’s meaningful and stable in your world.

Now, consider an area of your life that you feel needs a change. It could be your job, a relationship, or even the city where you live. Picture the ideal scenario, where this change has taken place. If you can imagine it clearly, you’re now connecting with your progressive intuition — the drive to transform what isn’t working into something better.

Is there a fundamental conflict in experiencing both of these impulses? Do you feel the need to demonize one side over the other within yourself? Likely not. So why, then, is it so difficult to apply this same acceptance in our broader political discourse?

I want to suggest a starting point for this question — a guiding principle we can use whenever we find ourselves in turbulent discussions:

“There is more that I don’t know than what I know in any given moment.”

This idea, though simple, offers a foundation of humility from which we can approach new information and complex issues. Recognizing our limitations is a useful practice, especially in unfamiliar territory. From this vantage, we can proceed with curiosity, openness, and humility.

Mapping Conservative and Progressive Intuitions

The notion of preservation stems from an appreciation of the present moment and the value we find in it. Moreover, it suggests we already have some clarity about how to maintain it.

For example, if I’ve developed the flexibility to perform a full side split, I likely know what it takes to keep it. The problem is no longer unknown; I have a path to follow. However, maintaining this ability requires discipline and ongoing effort, without the immediate reward of a new accomplishment. In this case, traits like conscientiousness become essential to sustain success over time.

On the other hand, progressing implies recognizing that something isn’t working. It’s rooted in a dissatisfaction with the current state and a vision for a different future. Progression drives us into the unknown, requiring us to experiment, face risks, and imagine possibilities.

Let’s say I’ve mastered the side split but later realize that I’m limited in other areas of mobility. Now, I need a vision for improvement in those areas. This visioning process calls on openness to new experiences and a connection to our creative spirit.

The Shadow Side of Each Intuition

On the conservative side, the main pitfall lies in ignoring the limitations of the status quo. When we see the "goodness" in what we’re trying to conserve, we may overlook the negative aspects it imposes on ourselves or others.

A related issue is the drift from conservatism to traditionalism. A true conservative understands that change is inevitable, so conserving something requires adapting to change over time. Traditionalism, by contrast, resists change at all costs, preserving tradition for its own sake.

An example of this distinction can be seen in martial arts. In traditional Chinese martial arts for example, techniques like wrestling or ground fighting are often absent due to historical beliefs about the "dirtiness" of the floor. Traditionalists cling to these values despite the practical limitations. In contrast, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) practitioners recognize the value of incorporating new techniques, yet maintain a healthy skepticism toward untested approaches. This line between cautious change and total rejection of change is important to recognize.

On the progressive side, the challenges revolve around understanding the second-, third-, and fourth-order effects of any change. Complex systems, whether in our bodies or society at large, often react to change in unpredictable ways. A responsible approach to progress requires patience and systemic thinking.

Here lies the core of the progressive blind spot: the belief that good intentions alone guarantee positive outcomes. In our eagerness to improve our mobility, for instance, we may injure ourselves if we push too hard. Similarly, in society, desiring positive change doesn’t guarantee positive results; it requires a deep understanding of how the desired change fits into the larger system.

Elevating Ourselves Beyond Our Own Blind Spots

How can we rise above our own limitations? Often, the best solution is to engage in conversations with those who have different perspectives. Approach these conversations with curiosity, not to argue your point but to genuinely understand what others see that you may not.

When my conservative intuition speaks, I might ask my conversation partner, "What is it that you wish to change, and why?"

And when my progressive intuition takes over, I might start by asking, "What do you value in the current state of things, and what are your concerns about losing it?"

For me, my podcast Material for the Brain has been invaluable in fostering the ability to listen deeply to different perspectives. My relationships with my wife and kids have also taught me the importance of listening as a quality of being. The older I get, the more I realize the degree in which listening is an essential quality to foster.

I will finish by echoing the words of Ram Dass: “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”