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Metaphysics + Epistemology leads to the moral question: How do you derive an objective moral code using reason and based on objective reality? Rational selfishness is the basic moral premise of morality or ethics. How does Morality apply to rights. Rights are a moral concept: the application of human reason for mutually beneficial human interaction.

Since the overwhelming majority of successful human interaction is the result of agreements and contracts contract and private property rights are the conditions required for man's proper survival.

Freedom and Political equality is the political expression of equal rights.

Capitalism is the private ownership of the means of production. The purpose of the government in capitalism is the definition and the protection of individual rights; life, liberty, contract and property.

The main moral principle of capitalism is free market equilibrium. The free market is the sum total of all the valid voluntary trade of goods and services in a given geographic location. Free market equilibrium is the best quality product at the lowest price to the most consumers. Free market equilibrium is the product of rational selfishness, free trade and a gold standard stable currency. Charity is private.

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies the means of knowledge. Reason is the basic principle of epistemology. Reason is the human faculty or ability that perceives, identifies and integrates the valid evidence of the senses. The key to understanding human reason is that fact that man is a being of volitional conceptual consciuosness. In order to gain accurate and reliable knowledge of objective reality the individual has to focus his or her mind and identify reality by the use of concepts. Facts or reality are identified by valid concepts that require valid definitions. For example; what is the concept of rights? Rights are the conditions required for man's proper survival. These conditions are freedom, contract and property rights.

Since reality is objective rights can be proven objectively. Objective means based on facts and that which exists. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that identifies the nature of reality and the universe.

First fact: OBJECTIVE REALITY

Great point, how can consciousness be volitional if it is an axiom? It isn't. Its an evolved heritable trait of living things which evolved from none living stuff. Heritable traits are acquired over time by variation and selection. Not much of an axiom. But if you are dealing with man's cognitive nature then consciousness is part of existence and identity which require consciousness if they are to be perceived.

Also don't worry about existence is finite. You need to rethink your definition of finite and existence. There are no units to existence because it is all.

Keep thinking you are on your way.

Ice is not a priori it is an existent observable and the concept "ice" comes from seeing frozen water. "A Priori
' means prior to observation, knowledge prior to been seen hence God and other chimera.

Sounds like a great project, but my November is already over-scheduled and the travel distance a bit much for right now. Never worked with an adze before, but am always interested in adding new knowledge to my current (and admittedly limited) skill set. Wish you the best on both your projects - the barn and your philosophic project.

But it is based on observation

I'm too old to learn that new trick. But I worked on a piece of land that still had Oak stumps from which they cut the haunches to fit between the ribs and beams. Still think that would be a great business. Thanks for the insight. Mighty Oaks make great ships.

I have an old, but sharp, draw knife for debarking and a couple of 5 gal. buckets but I would be silly to try and learn what you were taught on my own. How did they do it in the old days?

They are both guns.

True.

Yes. In fact if there are enough people interested I will teach a class in Huntington Beach California.

Exactly accurate

Reason defines rights and justice.