RE: LIVE from Defense Distributed with Cody Wilson (Liberty Under Attack Radio)
Thanks a lot, man. I appreciate it.
Yeah, he's got some interesting views, that's for sure. I can't combat them without knowing the material though. I do know he loves those debates, so once I know more, I'm sure he'd be game to dive down the philosophy rabbit hole (especially now that I'm welcome there anytime).
I can understand the appeal and importance of peaceful parenting, but, him and I both agree that it doesn't end there. Use of force issues go far beyond that; I wish more libertarians/anarchists would be willing to expand beyond simply PP. That's been my main argument for the past almost 3 years.
I've kind of "grown out" of that myself. I was all Rothbard and Mises for almost two years, but it got boring; the monotony of repeating the same arguments over and over again (to the point where my fellow debater knew EXACTLY what I was going to say), and while economically correct in my view, the world is a far more complex, diverse place. I've grown a lot more consuming different perspectives, even if they come from those on the economic left.
That would be great. You totally should do some debates (if disagreements do exist). With the postmodernist thing, that statement that “I don’t believe in concepts like truth,” or something similar, I think he said, always seems so obviously self-detonating to me. To say there is no truth is to make a claim about what the truth is. i.e. “The truth is there is no truth.” Logically self-detonating.
As far as peaceful parenting, I guess that’s new to me, so maybe I’m not sure what you mean. You mean all that some libertarians will talk about is not hitting their kids?
Anyway, much respect to Cody, and this talk was challenging and inspiring at the same time.
Okay, I wasn't 100% sure what post-modernist statement you were talking about. I probably could have challenged him a bit on that point; maybe I should have. Next time. I agree, it seems like a self-detonating statement.
In regards to peaceful parenting, what I mean is that it's great libertarians/anarchists are talking about use of force issues (i.e. spanking). But, that's typically where the conversation ends. Anarchism is a radical position -- even the minarchists that founded so-called "America" understood that freedom might have to be taken...by force...such as, by killing bludgies. Of course, I only have ever advocated merely talking about and thinking about such propositions. Another way of putting it is Ben Stone's "Sedition, Subversion, and Sabotage."
As I said, anarchism is a radical philosophy and position to hold. And, Cody and I briefly discussed this before the episode, which is why I think he name-dropped peaceful parenting in such a way -- "It doesn't have to end with peaceful parenting." Hopefully that clarifies my position some.
Ah. Dude. I get you now. Yes. I guess some people perhaps do act like resisting violence doesn’t extend to real risk and disobeying/doing battle with state agents if necessary in self-defense.
I read most of Ben’s book. Some parts seemed to border on indiscriminate for me, at the time, but of course I highly respect Ben. I need to revisit. That’s probably a whole other conversation for another time, though.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time out to explain here.