[T]he liberal attitude does not say that you should oppose authority.
It says only that you should be free to oppose authority, which is
quite a different thing.
The essence of the liberal outlook in the intellectual sphere is a
belief that unbiased discussion is a useful thing and that men should
be free to question anything if they can support their questioning by
solid arguments.
The opposite view, which is maintained by those who cannot be called
liberals, is that the truth is already known, and that to question it
is necessarily subversive. The purpose of mental activity, according
to these men, is not to discover truth but to strengthen belief in
truths already known. In a word, its purpose in this view is
edification, not knowledge.
Edification, that is to say the bolstering up by specious arguments of
the opinions held by the police, tends to preserve a stable society.
It militates against anarchy and gives security to the incomes of the
rich. When successful, it prevents revolution, and insures that kings
and presidents will be welcomed by cheering crowds whenever they show
themselves to their subjects.