The
Rational Argumentator
Issue CXXXVI - December 22-29, 2007
G. Stolyarov II
December 24, 2007
Today, the
Cosmology
What the Laws of Physics Are and Why They Could Not Have Been Created:
G. Stolyarov II
December 23, 2007
Some advocates of the view that the universe was created – especially created by some kind of personified being (i.e., a god) – hold that the laws of physics must have had a temporal origin, which points to the existence of a creator of such laws. Here, this view shall be refuted. Mr. Stolyarov discusses the ontological classification of the laws of physics as descriptions of potential relationships and the circumstances in which these relationships arise. The laws of physics are not themselves entities or relationships, but all entities follow the laws of physics. Since there was no time at which no entities existed, it follows that the laws of physics have always existed.
Foreign Language Materials
A French Translation of G. Stolyarov II's "The Follies of Gun Control":
Stephen Buddo
December 23, 2007
Stephen Buddo has kindly furnished a translation of Mr. Stolyarov's essay, "The Follies of Gun Control," into French so as to render it accessible to readers in the entire French-speaking world. Individuals in all countries would benefit from the freedom to own weapons to protect their lives and property and from the recognition of the utter absurdities behind the proponency of limitations on weapon ownership.
Historical Analysis
Isolationism and the Foreign New Deal:
Murray N. Rothbard
December 25, 2007
During World War I and the 1920s, "isolationism," that is, opposition to American wars and foreign intervention, was considered a Left phenomenon, and so even the laissez-faire isolationists and revisionists were considered to be "leftists." Opposition to the postwar Versailles system in Europe was considered liberal or radical; "conservatives," on the other hand, were the proponents of American war and expansion and of the Versailles Treaty. But all of this changed as the United States prepared to enter World War II and opponents of the war were dubbed "rightists" and "reactionaries." From this change in the political map came what is now known as the Old Right. Murray N. Rothbard explains.
Politics
The Foundations of Liberal Policy: Tolerance (1929):
Ludwig von Mises
December 22, 2007
Liberalism limits its concern entirely and exclusively to earthly life and earthly endeavor. The kingdom of religion, on the other hand, is not of this world. Thus, liberalism and religion could both exist side by side without their spheres' touching. Ludwig von Mises explains the classical liberal approach to religious toleration and the need in a liberal society to be intolerant of intolerance and fanaticism.
May You Freeze in the Dark:
Paul Driessen
December 22, 2007
Tucked away in the mountains of western Romania, Rosia Montana has been a mining town for 2000 years. From Roman times, extracting gold and other metals from these rocks has been a dirty, dangerous business, and life there has never been easy. Safety, health and environmental considerations were rarely priorities, and decades of operations under Communist regimes left mountains of rubble that still leach toxic chemicals into streams. Now a Western corporation is trying to bring a safer, cleaner form of mining to Rosia Montana, but environmental activits funded by George Soros would rather have the town's inhabitants freeze in the dark. Paul Driessen discusses the tragic unfolding of yet another anti-life environmentalist crusade.
The Importance of Fiscal Responsibility in Government:
Ron Paul
December 23, 2007
Rep. Ron Paul applauds the President for his veto of the SCHIP expansion bill for government funding of children's health care. It is a step in the right direction. But it is just one small step. What our economy needs right now is to go full gallop away from the tax and spend policies that have gotten us into this mess.
Stepping Back from the Precipice:
Alan Caruba
December 23, 2007
The end of a year, any year, is a good time to give some consideration to the reason we have arrived at a particular state of affairs and whether a new direction is required. This is particularly true at a time when the campaigns to be the party’s choice for the presidency is more drenched in debate of religious issues and assertions, than in domestic and foreign policy issues. Alan Caruba believes that American politics and foreign policy need to step back from the precipice they are currently facing and confront the real pressing problems of our time.
Socialized Healthcare: When Money Trumps Life:
G. Stolyarov II
December 29, 2007
Proponents of socialized healthcare like to characterize the private provision of healthcare as callous and uncaring – prioritizing the patients’ money over their lives and permitting those without money to suffer and die. This is blatantly untrue, of course, but the argument against socialized healthcare goes much farther than this. Indeed, socialized healthcare is guilty of the very fault that private healthcare is alleged to have. Under government healthcare, government providers indeed prioritize their own cost savings above the lives and well-being of their patients. Mr. Stolyarov explains.
Power Symmetries and Asymmetries:
G. Stolyarov II
December 29, 2007
The concept of power has been much maligned as evil in itself – in all of its forms and manifestations – and the desire for power has frequently been characterized as unacceptable in all situations. But this is a simplistic view which fails to pinpoint the genuine problem as far as power is concerned. This a problem not of power per se, but of asymmetrical power. Mr. Stolyarov discusses the concepts of symmetrical and asymmetrical power, examples of power symmetries and asymmetries in our world, and how such an understanding can aid in reversing the growth and power of government and transitioning to a free society.
"Against what is stupid, nonsensical, erroneous, and evil, liberalism fights with the weapons of the mind, and not with brute force and repression."
~ Ludwig von Mises