http://www.positiveliberty.com/2007/04/that-which-is-seen-and-that-which-is-not-seen-special-morality-edition.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:26:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.positiveliberty.com/2007/04/that-which-is-seen-and-that-which-is-not-seen-special-morality-edition.html#comment-309764 Positive Liberty » The Paternal State As Producer of Immorality Tue, 01 May 2007 04:24:21 +0000 http://positiveliberty.com/?p=2351#comment-309764 [...] I certainly have to agree with Kuznicki’s point that when the state gets into the business of policing our morals, it hands that power to mortal human beings who are themselves fallible, and who cannot resist exploiting their power at the expense of those to whom they dictate the standards of “goodness.” Ultimate power corrupts, especially when it is power over our moral choices. That was, after all, always one of the usual arguments of libertarians (before so many became swallowed up in moral relativism). That’s what John Milton, my favorite Christian libertarian, meant when he said If men within themselves would be govern’d by reason, and not generally give up thir understanding to a double tyrannie, of Custom from without, and blind affections within, they would discerne better, what it is to favour and uphold the Tyrant of a Nation. But being slaves within doors, no wonder that they strive so much to have the public State conformably govern’d to the inward vitious rule, by which they govern themselves. For indeed none can love freedom heartilie, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but licence; which never hath more scope or more indulgence then under Tyrants. Hence is it that Tyrants are not oft offended, nor stand much in doubt of bad men, as being all naturally servile; but in whom vertue and true worth most is eminent, them they feare in earnest, as by right thir Maisters, against them lies all thir hatred and suspicion. Consequentlie neither doe bad men hate Tyrants, but have been alwayes readiest with the falsifi’d names of Loyalty, and Obedience, to colour over thir base compliances. [...] [...] I certainly have to agree with Kuznicki’s point that when the state gets into the business of policing our morals, it hands that power to mortal human beings who are themselves fallible, and who cannot resist exploiting their power at the expense of those to whom they dictate the standards of “goodness.” Ultimate power corrupts, especially when it is power over our moral choices. That was, after all, always one of the usual arguments of libertarians (before so many became swallowed up in moral relativism). That’s what John Milton, my favorite Christian libertarian, meant when he said If men within themselves would be govern’d by reason, and not generally give up thir understanding to a double tyrannie, of Custom from without, and blind affections within, they would discerne better, what it is to favour and uphold the Tyrant of a Nation. But being slaves within doors, no wonder that they strive so much to have the public State conformably govern’d to the inward vitious rule, by which they govern themselves. For indeed none can love freedom heartilie, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but licence; which never hath more scope or more indulgence then under Tyrants. Hence is it that Tyrants are not oft offended, nor stand much in doubt of bad men, as being all naturally servile; but in whom vertue and true worth most is eminent, them they feare in earnest, as by right thir Maisters, against them lies all thir hatred and suspicion. Consequentlie neither doe bad men hate Tyrants, but have been alwayes readiest with the falsifi’d names of Loyalty, and Obedience, to colour over thir base compliances. [...]

]]> http://www.positiveliberty.com/2007/04/that-which-is-seen-and-that-which-is-not-seen-special-morality-edition.html#comment-309736 Chris Berez Tue, 01 May 2007 01:49:57 +0000 http://positiveliberty.com/?p=2351#comment-309736 Great post. There's nothing much else to say than that. Obviously I was aware of this story and it truly is horrifying. The best I can say is that this post made me feel better because it voiced my opinions more eloquently than I could ever state them. I dearly hope we are moving towards a society where people realize what a horrific mistake the war on drugs really is. Great post. There’s nothing much else to say than that. Obviously I was aware of this story and it truly is horrifying. The best I can say is that this post made me feel better because it voiced my opinions more eloquently than I could ever state them. I dearly hope we are moving towards a society where people realize what a horrific mistake the war on drugs really is.

]]> http://www.positiveliberty.com/2007/04/that-which-is-seen-and-that-which-is-not-seen-special-morality-edition.html#comment-309720 Another victim of the war on drugs « Greg Prince’s Blog Tue, 01 May 2007 00:39:20 +0000 http://positiveliberty.com/?p=2351#comment-309720 [...] I’m with Jason. [...] [...] I’m with Jason. [...]

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