humanities.philosophy.objectivism

Brian Bagnall wrote:

> "Paul Wharton" wrote in message
> news:0e3a9bb6-7cab-45cf-9325-063e10fc109b@d62g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>
>>I agree that individuals should be free to create whatever church or
>>monastery they want, and practice the religion or philosophy of their
>>choice. However, this *must* not be integrated with the policical
>>state. I do not know if I want to spend my time writing in protest
>>about every religion-state integration in the world, presently. But,
>>that doesn't change the fact that they are wrong.
>
> Let's define *our* proper course of action. My thinking is this: we have the
> right to talk about different systems and we have the right to implement our
> own systems. However, if we went up to Tibet and said, "Hey guys, we don't
> like how your system is set up and want you to change it." I think it
> would be
> well within reason for them to tell us to fuck off. We should not try to
> change anything except that which is our own. We should make our system the
> best it can be, and as a consequence, once it is shown to be the superior
> system we can lead *by example* (only). Too many people (neo-Cons and
> Democrats) think it is up to them to put their grubby little fingers in
> everyone elses business.

You seem to be talking about international relations here, and
expressing disapproval of "interventionist" policies. FWIW, I don't
think that that's relevant to anything that Paul has said. IOW, if you
think that you're arguing against some view that Paul has expressed
here, I think you're mistaken.

>>My knowledge of Tibet is limited. However, if the Dalai Lama has been
>>claiming political power that is integrated with his religion, I think
>>that Tibet could really use a Political Enlightenment that separates
>>the two types of institutions.
>
> Well, to be practical, let's get our own situation in hand before worrying
> about some nation on the other side of the world. The United States (and the
> Western world) is in a mess and there is a lot of work to be done.

The fact that "our" situation isn't perfect needn't prevent us from
*commenting* on things that are happening in other places -- and that's
what Paul was doing.

Mark


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