[net.philosophy] whither... libertarianism & techies

peterr@utcsrgv.UUCP (Peter Rowley) (06/28/84)

One aspect of libertarianism that bothers me personally is its apparent
"above all, look out for yourself" attitude.  Though this does not appeal
to me, it certainly does appeal to a good number of computer professionals
in Ontario, judging by the last election.  A surprising number (well over
half) of the Libertarian Party candidates listed their profession as
programmer or something closely related.

p. rowley, U. Toronto

gandalf@hocsk.UUCP (07/06/84)

SENDER:     m.e.estis
REFERENCE:  <4655@utcsrgv.UUCP>

Not that I'm an expert on Libertarian thought, but I think a better
summation of their philosophy is "I am the best judge of what's best
for me."  "Watch out for yourself" only applies in the sense of
don't let the Government watch out for you. (See a good article
which mentions this topic in net.consumers by utzoo!laura).

Monty
hocsk!gandalf

rlr@pyuxn.UUCP (Rich Rosen) (07/07/84)

> Not that I'm an expert on Libertarian thought, but I think a better
> summation of their philosophy is "I am the best judge of what's best
> for me."  "Watch out for yourself" only applies in the sense of
> don't let the Government watch out for you. (See a good article
> which mentions this topic in net.consumers by utzoo!laura).

It always seemed to me that objectivist/libertarian/what-have-you
philosophies claim the "I am the best judge of what's best for me" notion
as the foundation of their beliefs.  Unfortunately, where what's best for
them may interfere with what's best for (or what's chosen by) other people,
their "what's best for me" ideals still win out, rather than invoking
reason and compromise to best work out things with other people around them.

It also seems to me that such people are quick to point out their rights
without acknowledging the fact that they have to share the world with
other people.  ("I can drive 80 on this road if I want to.  So what if it's
just a two-lane dirt road!  *I* know what *I'm* doing!  If someone else in
front of me is going too slow, I'll cut around them!!  Who cares if their
money paid for these roads, too?")
-- 
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?			Rich Rosen
WHAT IS YOUR NET ADDRESS?		pyuxn!rlr
WHAT IS THE CAPITAL OF ASSYRIA?		I don't know that ...  ARGHHHHHHHH!