WHY AM I DOING THIS BLOG
I've been posting my take on current events on Facebook for some time (I'm too lonely with few to talk to). I sensed that some of my friends were not interested in my analysis (too serious for FB, "lighten-up, Jack") - and the space limitations made it hard to give all the reasons for an opinion. I hate an opinion that doesn't include the thought process of the person holding it (opinions are like assho.... well you know) - I prefer to give my reasons and let people draw their own conclusions. I'll now use this blog and refer to it on my Facebook page, so that people who are interested can travel here (spinning thru cyberspace). I'll get better at formatting as I learn this software.
For those who don't know me, I am age 57 (boy that happened fast) and retired in Gumlog, GA (sticks of NE Georgia near Lavonia) with my wife, Lois, and my German shepherd, Shelby (is she cute or what, ON THE LEFT). I grew up in a close and caring family (Catholic, and I never had a priest's touch - what was wrong with me, not cute enough), received a great education, then spent my life moving from one career to another about every 7 years, so I never accumulated great wealth. After the kids left home, Lois and I lived on a sailboat until we retired, then lived our first 8 years of retirement traveling in a motor coach - many family members thought we had become a little weird (they were correct, but the correct adjective is esoteric or adventurous). The only constant through life was my love for Lois and an interest/avocation/hobby in philosophy and physics. The internet made studying the avocation easier and so the level of interest and knowledge has expanded.
The purpose of this blog, for me, is primarily a place to explore ideas in ethics as they apply to current events. I might also write about ideas in theoretical physics and biology - these are my interests.
Don't you find that if you write out your ideas, for others to read or hear, you develop an extra motivation to find flaws, or support truths with better arguments? (NO? then don't post to this blog.) This process can help you change or solidify your ideas. I first noticed this while teaching in grad school - if you know others will see and judge what you say or write, you work harder to avoid ridicule. I felt like I only understood complex concepts like natural selection, meiosis, or protein metabolism after I studied them enough to teach them. It's funny, ridicule in front of a classroom is a stronger motivation than passing a test.
Living in the wilds of the Appalachian foothills doesn't present a lot of social interaction opportunities that I might use to discuss current events (just access to good corn liquor, Google Gumlog, Ga and see). So the other reason for this blog is communication. I think readers can leave a comment in this app and I hope that serious people will do that. The best way to find the flaws or truths in your ideas is being forced to defend them in the minds of equally serious people who hold different views. I will always try to remember to give the reasons for my conclusions, so that you can keep or modify your own conclusions based on data, not my opinions. I welcome any serious, well-considered disagreement, but remember, that conclusions are insults unless they are accompanied by the reasons for your conclusions.
Using my ideas as a spring-board for comedy is also allowed, but I may retaliate - I can be a comic or your straight man. Those of you who know my brothers will understand this necessary disclaimer for comic relief. We are serious about what we believe, but, let's have fun too.
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW...
You will find that my take on things is grounded in the ethics of Objectivism, a philosophy originated by the late Ayn Rand. This blog is not a course on Objectivist ethics and I am not a spokesperson for organizations or persons who hold the legal rights to the works of Ms. Rand (hope that relieves me of the liability), but I should list a few of the basic principles that derive from this comprehensive approach to ethics so that readers have a reference to the basis of my thoughts. If you have an interest in the basis of Objectivist ethics, I refer you to Ms. Rand's numerous, non-fiction works, especially The Virtue of Selfishness and Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. Here are some basic principles:
- The idea of value assumes the questions, to whom and for what
- The highest human value is life ... lived as a human being
- Man is defined (is metaphysically) a rational animal
- Reason is man's basic survival tool
- Each person has a right to their life
- It is always wrong to initiate the use of force or fraud
- The only legitimate purpose of government is the protection of citizens from those that do initiate the use of force or fraud
- The proper basis of interaction between and among people is free and voluntary trade in goods, ideas, love, etc.
- The truth of existence is independent of human consciousness, that is that what people think about an issue does not change the truth of an issue (I was right in the sentence above, this is Aristotle) so, the number of people who believe an idea ... is not evidence of the idea's validity
- You cannot prove a negative postulate (Yup, that's another philosopher, Thomas somebody that starts with "P")
- Axioms are ideas that are true by the simple evidence of your senses and the use of logic (damn I didn't originate that either) - people who treat their opinions as if they were axioms are not worth talking to
- Pure democracies will end in dictatorship of the non-productive majority (I'm sure someone else said that first).
- Voting is not a substitute for the concept of liberty (that text is at least mine)
- There are many issues that the government of a free people should not be allowed to consider (that may be original)- a republic form of government is limited by a constitution, the purpose of which is to limit the things the governing body can consider
- The Founding Fathers were not infallible, but they did STOP and CONSIDER the best ideas of the time before forming a government
I'll stop now, if only because each of these points pushes me towards an extended discussion, a separate blog, giving an ethical foundation for each point. Again, I don't like to comment in conclusion, without giving the background.
WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO
So what topics will be explored? Well, it will be driven by current event, but I can give you a list of topics that I may get excited about during the down times:
- Most Forms of Taxation are Theft
- Wealth production as the basis for a non-inflationary dollar
- Guns, Guns, Guns
- Ethics of Consuming More Than you Produce
- Is Liberty Worth It?
- Principle vs. Rate of Return in Investing
- The idea of nothing is a great Arabic idea to make math work, but metaphysically it doesn't exist
- Faith and Reason
- You Accept Gallileo But Not Darwin? Read History.
So I don't know where this is going except I know it will be fun and thought provoking. I know that it will help me to concentrate on the ideas that are important to me and I hope it is stimulating for you.
You may suggest topics by any communication method you want. I don't understand how to use them all, but if you contact me with an idea I will respond.
I'll sign off with what I think is becoming a Cassidy Family tradition that I like: "Go find a special person to make you a sandwich."
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