Comments on: The Sentiment We Breathe

By: Terry Hulsey

Terry Hulsey — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:12:07 +0000

Of course I do not "support state IP law," as anyone who takes the time to follow the link will understand. In the discussion there I make very clear that I do not "support state IP law."

However, let no one think that Mr Kinsella is trying to be unfair or misrepresent the facts. If you look at the dates of the post you will see that my clarifying remarks came after Stephan's comment here at Oct 18, 2010, 2:13 pm.

By: Stephan Kinsella

Stephan Kinsella — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:13:15 +0000

I find this essay hard to follow as well but I do wonder how a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist can support state IP law, as he does here.

By: Jeremy Weiland

Jeremy Weiland — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:35:10 +0000

Sorry, I meant can't recommend it highly enough. Doh.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:33:24 +0000

Oh, one more thing: in addressing the legacy of the enlightenment and its alternatives, I can't recommend David Heleniak's Rousseau and the Real Culture War. While Heleniak is interested in different particular questions than you are, I think you'd find you both tread similar ground.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:23:20 +0000

While the essay was a bit difficult to follow, I found it brilliant , challenging, and thought provoking. It sounds like the author is expanding on the ground Robert Nisbet explored in "Idea of Progress": scientific / political / social / artistic progress (similar to flourishing or potential) replaces providence as an ultimate goal, validator of experiences, and context for identity. John Taylor Gatto also ties in a variety of this cultural and spiritual narrative in explaining compulsory schooling in "An Underground History of American Education". The problem that the author uncovers is a significant one for those who take the abolition of authority seriously. I would like to read more about the integration of confucianism into the anarchist project.

One question: I'm an anarchist who considers himself effectively a panentheist. I understand you see a danger in locating the seat of self in something outside the personal identity – that it has negative effects on behavior in _this_ life. Can you clarify this danger? Where do you see damage being done? Is it just the effects on society you lament?

Again, I hope you'll continue writing on these matters. Anarchist spirituality is wide open for significant contributions, and this viewpoint has real promise. Thanks for sharing it with us!

By: Terry Hulsey

Terry Hulsey — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:45:53 +0000

>>b-psycho

You seem to want not only an answer but a question to go with it.

But, OK, Papiere ist geduldig — and Internet keystrokes even more so. If by "point" you mean "what's the purpose or usefulness of this article," my point is:

* There was in fact an Enlightenment project (as described), and it is a live and worthwhile project.

* The project was based in deontology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deontology) and a scientific objectivity.

* Nietzsche and others did in fact enlist themselves in this project; ("God is dead; with what shall we replace him?" [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_fr%C3%B6hliche_Wissenschaft]).
* Nietzsche reached a dead end: the Uebermensch, "flourishing," etc. has no deontological or objective basis.

* Similar attempts at a universal ethics based in deontology, science, and objectivity are also doomed to fail because of their underlying assumptions based in a Christian worldview.

* Alasdair MacIntyre has offered an alternative, non-deontological contribution to this project.

* I suggest another non-deontological contribution to this project; it is modern Confucianism; in my view it has a better chance of success because it escapes the many fatal underlying Christian assumptions.

* I do not describe this entire alternative — imagine the confusion it would inspire.

Thank you. You're welcome.

By: Roderick Long

Roderick Long — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:02:03 +0000

Center for a Stateless Society= FAIL.

Fallacy of composition?

By: b-psycho

b-psycho — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:44:22 +0000

…*puzzled*

No, seriously, what’s the point of this?

By: Aster

Aster — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:08:06 +0000

Center for a Stateless Society= FAIL.