## Introduction New research conducted in Portugal offers insight into the psychological roots of political ideology. The findings suggest that the difference between liberals and conservatives is not just about which values they hold, but how they prioritize them when conflicting demands arise. Researchers used Moral Foundations Theory to understand the motivations underlying political thought. This theoretical framework proposes that human morality is based on five innate psychological pillars: care, justice, loyalty, authority, and purity. Care involves protecting others from harm. Justice focuses on fairness and reciprocity. Loyalty is linked to fidelity to one's group. Authority refers to respect for hierarchical order and tradition. Purity concerns the sanctity of body and spirit. Researchers analyzed data from 425 Portuguese adults using a questionnaire that presented various scenarios and moral principles. Participants were asked to rate the importance of each principle for their moral judgments. The results revealed a different moral hierarchy between liberals and conservatives. Liberals emphasized individualizing pillars care and justice, while conservatives highlighted those related loyalty, authority, and purity. This study offers a unique perspective on understanding politics. Researchers argue that understanding political thought requires considering moral choices in terms of priority, rather than just measuring the strength or intensity of values. The research also revealed a connection between gender and moral hierarchy. Women are more likely to identify as liberals, while men are more likely to be classified as Low Moralists or High Moralists. In summary, this study offers a unique perspective on understanding politics and highlights the importance of considering moral choices in terms of priority.