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Reformed Loser

 

26 November 2007

From an email:

Jon - Even though I've asked you at least some of these on the phone, I thought I might prod you into writing down responses to the following questions, which I have found makes for much clearer thinking on a subject. I will say that I wouldn't have fantastic answers to these questions; they are surely difficult. However, I don't claim certitude about these sorts of matters either.

I think your discussions with others that don't share your conclusions about politics/government/society/etc. would be greatly improved if these sorts of foundational matters were discussed openly. It seems to me that your assumptions and principals are, perhaps, so different from others' that discussing the conclusions that result from these first things cannot be productive and only leads to reflexive disagreement. In other words, the conclusions are not where the real disagreement lies and discussing them does not lead to understanding.

I would also suggest that general words - take liberty, for example; it can mean many many different things - without clarifying definitions, should be avoided.

So, give it a shot, and if you'd like to ask me any questions in return, feel free:


1) What is the point/goal/purpose of your ideal society (and if you don't like that word - society - please substitute another, but use it consistently whatever you choose)?

2) Why is your goal/goals the best goal/goals?

3) What, exactly, is stopping us from achieving the goal with our current social/governmental arrangement - or, if it's a matter of degree, then what is stopping us from fully realizing your goal right now?

4) Why will your desired social arrangement be better than our current system (or be the best at) promoting your stated goals?

5) How do you know these claims are correct and true?
5a) What are your guiding assumptions/foundational principals?
5b) Is there any evidence you rely on to support either these principals or your statements as outlined above?



If any of this is unclear facially or upon reflection, let me know.

OK, I'll give it a shot:

1) What is the point/goal/purpose of your ideal society?

First, this seems a little odd. Isn't my point/goal/purpose a "conclusion," about which discussion "cannot be productive?" I think in your preamble you were suggesting that we all want personal safety, long healthy lives, etc., but that we differed in our preferred means. So I'm afraid I'm confused; I'll nevertheless answer the question (with qualification) as I understand it.
My qualification is this: any societal goals that I personally think worthwhile are irrelevant to the philosophy of liberty. In other words, this is the kind of question that a thoughtful central planner dwells on. I'm not a thoughtful central planner, I'm a lazy, mentally average freedom nut.

The goals of my ideal society are long life, high wealth, and happiness.

2) Why is your goal/goals the best goal/goals?

I really don't know.

3) What, exactly, is stopping us from achieving the goal with our current social/governmental arrangement - or, if it's a matter of degree, then what is stopping us from fully realizing your goal right now?

I think it is a matter of degree, not degree of completion, but of speed. Basically, most people want what I want, and they'll pursue it, successfully. The State does slow them down. It's convinced the majority that it's the only competent purveyor of a host of services. In reality, it's shit at everything, drains resources, and produces pitiful results.

4) Why will your desired social arrangement be better than our current system (or be the best at) promoting your stated goals?

Bear with me for a minute, I'll get to the answer shortly.
I don't have the arrogance necessary to prescribe social arrangements, but if I had the freedom to choose, I'd pick one that respected individuals' liberty. What is liberty? According to Isaiah Berlin, there's two kinds: positive and negative. Positive liberty is achieved by "leveling the playing-field," or empowering everyone with the opportunity to achieve. This is the kind of liberty that I want none of. When I say Liberty, I mean negative liberty, the freedom from outside hindrances. I think it's best for individuals to have the freedom to kill and the freedom to snort meth off of a hunting knife.
We are achieving my goals under our current system, but according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, total government spending for the last thirty years has hovered around thirty percent of national GDP. It's my opinion that private enterprise is a more productive and more responsible custodian of this money than the State.

5) How do you know these claims are correct and true?

Hmm, that's a poser. I think I'm like most people. My life experience in toto determines my philosophy, and my research is largely spent searching for words and numbers to support that philosophy. When I was younger, I was what's called a "national greatness" conservative. I was for a strong military and strong police. Slowly it dawned on me that the police and armed forces were just bureaucracies, no better than the Department of Education, and here I am, a filthy anarchist. That doesn't answer your question. I suppose I don't know. Maybe 5a and 5b can help.

5a) What are your guiding assumptions/foundational principals?

My guiding principal that sets me against the state is, theft is wrong. I tacitly consent to paying taxes, under threat of violence. That's theft, or slavery.

5b) Is there any evidence you rely on to support either these principals or your statements as outlined above?

Not really. I think we can all agree that the War on Drugs is a failure. As far as statistics go for this or that state or federal program, there's usually a reasoned rebuttal available.

That's it. It's pretty late now. Thank you for the questions; I can try to clarify anything, I rushed the ending and may not have properly addressed something.

 

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