Difference between Libertarian and Objectivist?
Posted by JoshA95 12 years, 2 months ago to Philosophy
What is the difference (if any) between Libertarians and Objectivists besides that one is a political party and the other is not? I've been wondering this for a while.
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I had a homosexual roommate in college. Great guy, we hung out and drank together often as well as shared a dorm room. He taught me how to look at poetry. I only knew he was gay because he shoes to tell me. It didn't matter one way or another. It wasn't until he and partner decided to flaunt it publicly that shit hit the fan in the dormitory. He chose to move out when people asked if I too were gay.
I've known and continue to know many gay people, men and women, in my life. I don't give a rat-ass if someone is gay as long as its not worn as a star of david placed over their zippers. As far as Uganda and Russia...not my concern, nor should it be - I don't have a voice there.
If we in the US weren't constantly dividing people for political gain according to superficial differences we wouldn't have to worry about becoming like those places.
Content of character.
1) I cannot accept that a voluntary action with known consequences entered into willingly by the participant can result in "slavery."
2) That there evidently is some miracle that occurs as the being traverses the birth canal that bestows "personhood" and causes the ability of the entity to at one instance have no rights and mere moments later to have full rights is irrational. (just to be clear, there is a miracle that occurs in traversing the birth canal, just not the birth itself - ;-)
I'm not sure how you get that Fox News is pro-R. From what I see, they present both sides of issues. It is merely that few if any other news sites present both sides that makes Fox seem to be pro-R.
Not sure how you come to the conclusion that modern R's are more moderate than a TEA party person. I guess you would need to say in which respect you find them moderate, and what you think "moderate" really means. Most of those who consider themselves part of the TEA party would espouse smaller government, less restrictions/more freedom, and lower taxes. Those are also libertarian and Objectivist principles but not necessarily those of the R or D parties.
AC and RL both have espoused support for R's, but have also expressed disdain for some R's, so I don't think that you can just place them in the R camp. It depends on the R that you're talking about. Neither of them, nor most Objectivists or libertarians for that matter, would have much support for many D's or progressives as they are nearly universally collectivists (and there are some R's in that camp as well).
First, I believe that you [that is, each person] should be allowed to do anything you want as long as it harms none. The fact that I may find some things on your list distasteful is irrelevant.
Second, do [that is, each person] you believe the same, even when something on my list offends you?
If we agree there, we are on the same side, whatever we call it.
If we don't agree there, we are NOT on the same side; how far apart we are depends on what you are willing to do to stop me from doing whatever it is that you dislike.
Many people in this sort of discussion want to bring up their favorite issue [for or against], but I try not to let them. The particular issues are actually irrelevant, it is the "harm none" part that really counts. After long years of dealing with 13-year-olds, I'm really good at not being sucked into a specifics tornado. I just keep saying "Is anyone harmed by the openly admitted fact that I like to eat grass? [using a silly example also helps] Who is harmed, and how?"
The rest is easy. I think Objectivism is how you run your life; Libertarianism is how you would like a society to run. Both are based on the principle illustrated in the preliminary sort.
There are people in the United States who are literally trying to pass the same kinds of laws that Uganda and Russia now have (in fact, they're actually the very same people who got those laws passed in those countries). People in the LGBT community HAVE to be incredibly open and loud about the issue. Otherwise the bigots will stomp all over them.
You say you don't want it shoved in your face? Well guess what? The LGBT community is tired of getting their faces beaten in. Silence is death.
God Loves Uganda:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3_hKv4p...
Russia's anti-gay law:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8P9jWcg...
I understand completely. Since Rand has passed, he has become the anointed one! I often make reference to his material for those interested, but for myself I am not doctrinaire. I refer to myself as a student of Objectivism, not an "Objectivist." I want people to appreciate the most important parts of the philosophy, which for me are the recognition that A is A, the individual is sovereign, paramount, self interest is good/essential, and the emphasis of Capitalism as the only just economic system.
Respectfully,
O.A.
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