We Are Pretty Close Philosophically – Nope Ayn, We Are Not
As voluntaryists/autarchists we have often heard conservatives with libertarian leanings say that we are “pretty close philosophically.” I disagree. We are not close.
What should be done if their ship encounters a person on a lifeboat that is lost at sea and is starving and dehydrated?
A few people suggest that they are willing to help, and to bring the person on board and to share some basic food, but that they should not have to feed and house the person in high style. Others believe that the person should be given their choice of any food on the ship and any stateroom. They suggest that in preparation, everyone on the ship ought to start donating some food & water each day so that enough will be in stock if and when a poor lost person is found.
A good looking blond-haired fellow with a great sense of humor offers to give up his own personal time to run this program. Someone suggests that there ought to be a penalty for anyone on the ship that does not give a bit of food or water. The good looking fellow agrees that he will lock anyone up for an hour each day they refuse to donate to help the poor.
On ship A that took the port turn, the folks contemplate the same question, What should be done if their ship encounters a person on a lifeboat that is lost at sea and is starving and dehydrated?
Someone says that he thinks the lost person should be taken aboard and given food and water. Some folks say that they do not choose to give their food and water to a guy who planned poorly and is a lousy sailor.
Later, I run into Ayn at a seasteader’s convention and we discuss the issue of taking care of folks lost at sea. We both think it is lousy to demand cans or food and water from folks, and we both agree that it would be better if folks just donated. Ayn says that while we both want the same thing, unfortunately in the real world we would not be able to properly take care of people unless we have ship rulers and the threat of force to make sure it happens. Ayn says to me, “We are pretty close philosophically.”
Nope Ayn, we are not. You advocate using force to achieve an end that you and I prefer, but I do not use or agree that others may use force to achieve these ends.
No Ayn, we are at opposite end of the moral & philosophic spectrum.