christensen@apollo.uucp (Wendy Christensen) (12/12/85)
I have been looking in on this "real-libertarianism vs. brain-damage-libertarianism vs socialism vs ..." discussion for a while now. What surprises and disturbs me is that I have seen no reference, even from the libertarians (who ought to know better) of responsibility. I see lots of talk about freedom, liberty, property rights, reason vs. force, but no mention of the necessary balancing agent, responsibility. Many of the straw men (for that is what they are, at bottom) set up by the statists and socialists could be much more effectively demolished with intelligent reference to and use of responsibility. Responsibility is basic throughout Rand's work, and I find it astounding that this aspect of her philosophy has not entered into these discussions. Perhaps some of the more irresponsible "Randroids" only want to claim the easy parts? I would like to see explanations for this strange omission. Anyone willing to take up this challenge? w. christensen I am responsible for the opinions expressed above.
sykora@csd2.UUCP (Michael Sykora) (12/14/85)
The right of "liberty" has been defined by some on the net to be the right to do as one pleases so long as one does not infringe on the rights of others. The condition that one does not infringe on the rights of others is the only responsibility that most libertarians believe in. By the way, not all of us are "Randroids." Somne of us disagree with much that Rand wrote. Michael Sykora
sykora@csd2.UUCP (Michael Sykora) (12/15/85)
The right of "liberty" has been defined by some on the net to be the right to do as one pleases so long as one does not infringe on the rights of others. The condition that one does not infringe on the rights of others is the only responsibility that most libertarians believe in. By the way, not all of us are "Randroids." Some of us disagree with much that Rand wrote. Michael Sykora
abh6509@ritcv.UUCP (Hudson) (12/16/85)
In article <2aafa81e.a51@apollo.uucp> christensen@apollo.uucp (Wendy Christensen) writes: >I have been looking in on this "real-libertarianism vs. brain-damage-libertarianism >vs socialism vs ..." discussion for a while now. What surprises and disturbs me is >that I have seen no reference, even from the libertarians (who ought to know better) >of responsibility. I see lots of talk about freedom, liberty, property rights, reason >vs. force, but no mention of the necessary balancing agent, responsibility. Many of >the straw men (for that is what they are, at bottom) set up by the statists and >socialists could be much more effectively demolished with intelligent reference to >and use of responsibility. Responsibility is basic throughout Rand's work, and I >find it astounding that this aspect of her philosophy has not entered into these >discussions. Perhaps some of the more irresponsible "Randroids" only want to claim the >easy parts? I would like to see explanations for this strange omission. Anyone >willing to take up this challenge? > >w. christensen >I am responsible for the opinions expressed above. Ok, ok! I admit it! I've been using Rand's Individualism as a rationalism soley to further my own ends. There. Its out. Ok? As far as responsibility goes, lets just keep in mind that a majority of her works were written before this Republic of Welfare State, USA got really going. I don't think that she ever dealt directly with the aspect of trading between Modern Socialism (Soc Sec et al) and hardcore poverty. I sort of got the impression that if the good guys were unbridled, their achievements would make up for not having a welfare safety net. Sort the old fashioned way, sort of the good part of what Ronny is making bad. Is this general enough?? Irresponible enough?? A. Hudson