Recently on Quora, someone asked a dishonest question about whether countries with stronger “gun control laws” had “less shootings”. I pointed out that the question isn’t an honest one because an attack on the innocent is wrong, regardless of which tool was used.
Tag: slavery
Scott Adams on Guns
It is in every decent person’s self-interest to encourage gun ownership for everyone. Even if I go crazy and try to kill an innocent person, and they shoot me in self-defense, I completely support their right to do so. Maybe knowing they are armed would help keep me sane, or scare me into not attacking them even if I go nuts.
The Denial is Strong in This One
In the past I have pondered whether it is ethical to accept “welfare” from government, but I have never doubted that it is dangerous. I have compared it to milking a grizzly bear.
Statism: Undesirable, Unnecessary, and Avoidable
Is statism desirable? No, it is not. In fact, institutionalized and ideologically whitewashed aggression is the most undesirable thing that any sane person can think of. Is statism necessary? No, it is not, since institutionalized and ideologically whitewashed aggression is the very opposite of its stated goal of securing social cooperation.
Some Questions from the Edge of Immortality
The quest for immortality is as old as humankind, and we’ve publicly agonized over its implications since at least as far back as the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein 200 years ago. As science seemingly moves us closer to the goal, especially if the finish line consists of transplanting brain functions from the body to a computer-generated reality, the questions become more important.
Reproductive Rights, Legalizing Murder, Social Warfare, & Wage Slavery (34m) – Editor’s Break 066
Editor’s Break 066 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: female verse male reproductive rights in a legal context, what would happen in society if murder were legalized, how democracy creates social warfare, the logical sleight of hand performed by people decrying so-called “wage slavery”, and more.
On ‘Wage Slavery’ and Word Games
Metaphors and language matter. If you see yourself as a slave, your imagination shrinks, and your sense of what’s possible declines. Verbiage associated with victimhood, etc. have a powerful self-enforcing tendency.
Community Service Bill, Punching Nazis, Constitution as Socialism, & My Ethical Framework (39m) – Editor’s Break 065
Editor’s Break 065 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: his Utah bill to allow community service in lieu of paying a fine for an infraction or misdemeanor, the morality of punching neo-Nazis, why constitutionalism is a pure manifestation of socialism, why slavery is wrong according to his ethical framework, and more.
Can You Explain Why Slavery is Wrong?
We’ve encountered some reasonable refutations of this premise, with the biggest critique being around the claim that it’s “self-evident”. In that way, it looks like the other weak arguments. When I’m asked to prove that I own myself, I don’t have a quick and easy answer, I can’t produce a receipt. But I am responsible for my actions, and I chose how and when to use my body. These are qualities of ownership. And even with a gun pointed at my head, the decision to cooperate is still ultimately mine. I couldn’t forfeit control if I wanted to.
Capitalism vs. Socialism: Reply to Bruenig
Since Elizabeth Bruenig has posted her whole opening debate statement, I thought I’d reply point-by-point. She’s in blockquotes; I’m not. Before I get started, though, let me say that personally, Elizabeth seems a gracious and kind human being. Still, even if I were an avid socialist, I’d be baffled by the way she tackles the issue.