KentForLiberty pages

Sunday, August 19, 2007

The Road to "Here"

How did I become an anarchist or a libertarian or whatever I am? I think it was by a careful examination of the way things are, and the way things work. Coupled with a respect for the absolute rights of everyone, even my "enemies" to live free of coercion. I don't expect anyone to respect any rights of mine that I would deny others. If I want to do something I can step back and think "Would I allow someone else to do this?" If the answer is "yes", then I can do it without any guilt. If the answer is "no" then I should not do it or I should examine why I answered "no".
I think the libertarian philosophy is the best for me personally and for everyone else as well. It doesn't "level the playing field" like some other philosophies, but lets everyone choose whichever playing field or hill or valley that suits them best. Only in the absence of coercion can someone rise to their full potential.
It is also the only philosophy that recognizes that every "rule" applies to everyone. No privileged class of overseers who are immune to the rules they impose on everyone else. There is only one basic rule: The Zero Aggression Principle: "No human being has the right - under any circumstances - to initiate force against another human being, nor to threaten or delegate its initiation." This same idea has been stated in many ways by many cultures. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"... "An it harm none, do what ye will".. Same message; different words, because this is the one rule that is inborn in us all. It is why children cry "He started it" when they disagree. We all understand at an instinctive level that "starting it" is wrong.
I can't understand why it is so hard for authoritarians to get out of the way of people's liberty. Some people just have a pathological desire to control the lives of those around them, I suppose. It sounds like a mental illness to me. Is there a treatment for that? I know there is an academy where you can learn to escape the chains of authoritarianism.

3 comments:

  1. Although I don't agree with the ZAP, as I discuss in my book...

    Hey, that reminds me. Would you like to review my book? I can send you a review copy. That would be funny and ironic, if my book on Market Anarchy could get a blurb from a presidential candidate.

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  2. Yes, I know you are not a ZAPper. "Not that there's anything wrong with that...". I still wouldn't be too worried about you initiating force against me.

    I could review your book, but there is an impending birth that will probably be taking up most of my time and thoughts very soon. How long is the book, and how soon would you need the review?

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  3. It's 300 pages. I suppose I could send you the DOC file, if you don't mind reading it that way... sending you the book would take a while (Xlibris takes their time when printing em).

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