I’m not saying that philosophy as a whole is without contradiction, however through years of weeding through different philosophies and theories I was able to find what works best for me. A collection of tools with which anyone can use to truly test whether an idea, concept, law, or edict is just, fair, and equitable. In no particular order I’d like to present a few of the tools I use use when trying to make a consistent, rational, and logical judgement or claim.
Tag: principles
Good Parenting, MYOB, Spitting Toddlers, & Russian Propaganda (28m) – Editor’s Break 073
Editor’s Break 073 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: what good parenting is; why it’s important to mind your own business and how to balance that with community vigilance; how to deal with misbehavior, such as a toddler spitting on your face; the courage in sticking with your principles, especially when it means standing alone; whether or not we should be concerned with Russian propaganda and election meddling; and more.
Standing Alone
If someone’s “beliefs” are the result of fear, or popularity contests, or any other outside influence, instead of the result of personal contemplation and soul-searching, then that person is likely to change his “beliefs” at the drop of a hat, because he has no real principles or convictions.
Free Range Kids Law, Smartphone Zombies, Self-Ownership, & Media Narratives (35m) – Editor’s Break 072
Editor’s Break 072 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: the new “free range kids” law passed in Utah and what that may mean for kids and parents; the phenomenon of smartphone users looking like zombies and what this has to do with the uncanny valley problem in animation and robotics; the foundational principles of libertarianism, which are self-ownership and non-aggression; why various media outlets give certain perspectives more spotlight than other perspectives; and more.
Against the Whole Concept and Construction of the Balance of International Payments
The location of the trading partners has no economic significance whatsoever. Trading entities enter into exchanges voluntarily, each one in each transaction anticipating a gain from the trade. Hence, in expectational terms, every such trade entails a gain from trade, or in other words an addition to the trader’s wealth.
Alternatives to the Welfare State
In my last article, I discussed how the U.S. is a welfare state, what that means, and how it violates the principles of Freedom and Responsibility. However, one might ask how those currently on welfare would survive without the welfare state. It’s a valid question.
Advice to My Children, and Everyone Else
I’ve given this entire learning experience some thought over the last few days, and the following stanza sums up my principles nicely: Don’t hurt people. Don’t take their stuff. Don’t ask permission. This is the advice I will be giving and reinforcing in my children as opportunity arises, and its advice I give to the rest of humanity. Let’s dig deeper.
Mark’s Journey, Science, & Truth (1h4m) – Episode 106
Episode 106 welcomes Mark Anthony Rivera to the podcast for a chat with Skyler. Topics include: his short-term rental through Airbnb, self-directed education (unschooling), his passion for science from a very young age, his applied physics career, growing up a Democrat in southern California, discovering Ron Paul and libertarianism, putting premises and principles over political labels, objectivity and morality, defining our terms in argumentation and discourse, what natural law is, praxeology and economics, words and concepts as symbols, and more.
The Result of Empty Belief Systems
Now, starting with tiny little mentions here and there, gradual whittling away at their empty belief systems, socialism has reached the point where it is being openly pushed by plenty of politicians, pundits, “news” outlets, etc. And since most people never knew what the word meant to begin with, now that it’s NOT spoken of as a taboo concept, they forgot why they ever objected to it.
The Welfare State: Where’s the Freedom and Responsibility?
The number of people on benefits is growing, while the relative number of people supporting those benefits is decreasing. There was a time when there were no benefits, and people were expected to exercise personal responsibility regarding their financial situation. Now, as much as 70% of American families receive more from the government than they pay in taxes. This is not sustainable, any more than it is moral.