Natural Law is the source of your rights. It does not depend on humankind, and it is universally valid. It cannot be voided or amended by kings, constitutions, or legislatures. It is the universe in harmony with reason. It’s not a new idea. Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Thomas Jefferson, and many others have taught it in one form or another.
Tag: behavior
“Conservatives” are Just Statists
My contempt for “conservatives” grows. Almost daily. Which is strange, since my own personal preferences would probably lean mostly toward what outside observers would call “conservative.”
Trust In the Power of Your Asking
Take a chance on the power of your asking. Give your relationships an opportunity to work on the basis of sincerity and sympathy. You’ll have a lot more fun that way. Don’t pull out a fire extinguisher if all you need to do is ask someone to blow out a candle.
Almost Everyone Misunderstands Rational Choice Theory
Of course economics never seeks or claims to explain motives, or why people have the preferences, information, incentives, or constraints they do. It only seeks to demonstrate that, given these, their behavior is rational.
Does Action on Behalf of Another Tend Toward Abuse?
When the goal is my own, internally motivated, I will behave according to my own values for respectful and peaceful cooperation. When the goal is not my own, externally motivated, I will at first behave according to my own values, but resistance may soon have me acting contrary to those values. Why is this?
Voluntary Law and Order
People are not all the same, and they make different choices because they have different values, circumstances, and levels of understanding. Sometimes those choices are peaceful and wise; sometimes they are not. So what are the best ways to promote good choices and cooperation while preventing and providing resolution for conflict?
Flags, Football, and Begged Questions
Defenders of Donald Trump’s condemnation of NFL players who “take a knee” during the national hymn — sorry, anthem — beg a few questions. They assume the truth of matters that are or should be in dispute. So, not so fast, Trump defenders. You have work to do.
Display Authority, Feed Values, Prescribe Rules, Hide Vice
I dislike how parents generally act around their kids. They play a role, they have written an approved script, and they hope for everyone to play along. Some of this is due to poor information (or poorly understood information) and some of it is purely to display authority and power over their children.
Tipping Point
Will the GAI emerging individuals have a DNA-like heredity? Will they have the impulses of Ghandi or Hitler — will they inherit the genocide gene, the logic of species purity? If so, whom will they eliminate or enslave? Will it be humans, tardigrades, or roaches?
Milgram’s “Obedience to Authority” Replicates
It’s an odd situation: one of the most famous psychological experiments – an experiment that changed the way people think about human nature – effectively prevented itself from ever being doubly-checked.