Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : The Boxing Ring Revived -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (4136)	1/24/2003 1:55:14 PM
From: The Philosopher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7720

As far as the principle goes, it is one of mutual aid. I would expect a neighbor to care for me, in lieu of anyone else, if I had a broken limb. There are some neighbors I would expect that of, some I would not. It depends on relationships established prior to the incident, on the neighbor's knowledge of my need and desire. Some people would rather struggle themselves than accept charity. Charity undesired and imposed against desire is not charity. In civilized societies, we generally institutionalize such aid. You make that as a statement, but without justifying it on the basis of principles of government, unless you want to assert that institutionalizing the provision of aid whethe or not desired is a core principle of government and one of founding principles on which the theory of governments is justified. Do you? As to practice, we do institutionalize the availability of some, though far from all, mutual aid. But that's a different thing from imposing aid against a person's will when the person represents no danger to others. That's harder for me to justify in terms of the proper role of government. Your test of being in one's right mind is interesting, but leaves huge areas for judgment. What is "undue"? What is "reasonable?" And whose standards should apply? IMO, for example, Al Sharpton lacks elementary social skills, is unable to maintain a peaceable relationship with his neighbors, is subject to delusions, and is incapable of functioning with a reasonable degree of discretion and self control. Off to the insane asylum with him??