The Golden Rule Applied to Libertarian Communication

Published March 26, 2012 in Persuasion by Sharon Harris

The Golden Rule, according to philosopher and scholar Simon Blackburn, can be "found in some form in almost every ethical tradition."   We often hear it in the positive form: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”   It is also heard in a negative form (sometimes called the Silver Rule): “Do not treat others in ways you would not like to be treated yourself.”   Libertarianism, with its prohibition against the initiation of force, could  (Read More)

Nothing Is So Dangerous as an Idea Whose Time Has Passed

Published August 18, 2011 in Persuasion by Michael Cloud

"Nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come," wrote Victor Hugo.

Raising crops and livestock replaced hunting and gathering. Science and technology replaced magic and superstition. Chemistry replaced alchemy. Reason and evidence replaced inspiration and authority.

Production and trade replaced most conquest and war. Reduction and rollbacks in government power replaced unbounded and unaccountable government. Each individual's right to life, liberty, and property replaced the doctrine of unlimited government authority.

Victor Hugo was right.  (Read More)

UNequal pay for UNequal Work

Published August 10, 2011 in Persuasion by Michael Cloud

"Equal pay for equal work" was the rallying cry of 1970s feminists. Most Americans agreed. Because most of us try to treat people fairly.   If two sales people each sell five of the same widgets for the same price, they should both get the same sales commission. Common sense. Simple fairness.   But if one sells eight widgets and the other sells four, then the first sales person should be paid twice as much as the second person.   Why? UNequal pay for UNequal work. Simple fairness.   In the marketplace, a  (Read More)

How You Can Cool Down Heated Attacks on Libertarianism

Published July 21, 2011 in Persuasion by Michael Cloud

Politics inflames the passions. Yours, mine, and those of others.   Political conversations can move from calm and thoughtful to enraged and irrational in just moments.   Once they get hot and hostile, we stop listening to and reasoning with each other.   I've been in these kinds of conversations. Many times. I'll bet you have, too.   Would you like a simple way to cool down these heated exchanges? A way to bring them back to calm and reasoned discussions?  (Read More)