humanities.philosophy.objectivism

Agent Cooper wrote:

> Not at all. It's wisdom from daily life: people get their backs up
> when you hector them, and then don't do what you want, just to spite
> you. If anything, it's them asserting their freedom... by being
> perverse, if that's what it takes.

Now it sounds like you're describing me... ;-)


> If one wishes others to make certain choices, one must manifest a certain
> minimal respect for their freedom to choose. That way they don't feel they
> *have* to prove to you they've got it, by doing the opposite of what you
> demand. The refusal to submit runs deep.

It's been a couple of days, and I don't exactly remember what I was
thinking there, but I think my "reducing the citizens to wiggly things
in a jar" comment was that all this talk of manipulating, bullying, *or*
respecting other nations, is almost always on the level of governments
vs. governments -- as if the civilian populations of those places would
just automatically swing whichever way, or do what they're told, or
whatever.

Maybe.


> Did I mention my boys are now teenagers? I suspect that you too will
> be blessed with this experience in the fullness of time.

I have an advantage: I took notes. :-)


> But you're right on another level. There's a bit of the imperialist in
> me, but not for the standard reasons. Or at least my reasons are not
> apportioned in the same way. But I think I'll just leave that
> mysterious for now.

No fair.

> .... And it is not, in the end, a very Objectivist thought either.

Naughty, naughty.