Today’s prompt from the Daily Post…
Have you got a code you live by? What are the principles or set of values you actively apply in your life?
I don’t usually think too deep about that kind of thing. But after I thought about it again, in response to the prompt today, I realize that yes, I really DO have a code I live by.
That code is simple:
LIVE AND LET LIVE
I’ve always thought that philosophy would make the world a MUCH better place if more people would live that way.
I thought when I was growing up I was alone in my thought processes. For so long, it seemed that everyone else around always thought for some strange reason that someone else (god, family, state, etc.) had some sort of ‘right’ to dictate how others should live their lives.
It was very encouraging for me to learn a few years ago that there are actually a lot of other people who think the way I do. Who believe in the philosophy of liberty and value freedom for all (actually, Americas’ founding fathers thought the same way and tried hard to form a government that would protect our rights to live this way- too bad their vision has been totally destroyed in only 200 years).
I only found out about the libertarians when my local Texas congressman Ron Paul was running for President as a Libertarian. It was SO nice to find that there were other people I could talk to who actually agreed with me. 🙂
(On most things- or at least the basic principles. Of course, if you’ve ever been in a room full of libertarians, you’d never believe that since we can argue for hours over the minute details of some proposal.)
But, the BASIC principals are not really an issue.
Self ownership: YOU own your life! No one else!
Everything else comes out of that most basic principle. Things like personal responsibility, honesty and respect for others. Everything comes together in a very sensible, ethical way for people in society to live. Each person is free to chose how to live their own lives in the best way possible for them (live according to their own values), taking into consideration their personal circumstances, and remember that they’re free to do whatever they choose as long as they don’t hurt anyone else while doing it (and, that they’re responsible for their own choices/actions!). That brings up a biggie.
There is also the non-aggression principle. Here is a good explanation of that by Dr. Mary Ruwart…
QUESTION: What is the libertarian “non-aggression principle” (or “non-aggression axiom”)?
MY SHORT ANSWER: Libertarianism is based on a single ideal, the non-aggression principle, so libertarian rhetoric tends to be remarkably consistent.
Libertarians oppose the initiation of force to achieve social or political goals. They reject “first-strike” force, fraud or theft against others; they only use force in self-defense. Those who violate this “non-aggression principle” are expected to make their victims whole as much as possible.
This “Good Neighbor Policy” is what most of us were taught as children. We were told not to lie, cheat, steal, not to strike our playmates unless they hit us first. If we broke a friend’s toy, we were expected to replace it.
Most of us still practice what we learned as children with other individuals, but we have grown accustomed to letting government aggress against others when we think we benefit. Consequently, our world is full of poverty and strife, instead of the harmony and abundance that freedom (i.e., freedom from aggression) brings.
Simply put, libertarians take the non-aggression principle that most people implicitly follow in their interactions with other individuals, and apply it to group actions, including government actions, as well.
You might have heard the Libertarian Party (LP) referred to as the “Party of Principle.” This is because the LP bases its programs and policy positions on the non-aggression principle.
Yeah, I really DO believe in these principles and yes, I do live by them.
If I haven’t gone too far off the deep end for you, and you’re interested in learning more, try taking the quiz (that’s why I keep it as a sticky first post on my blog). Check out the links in this post, or try the Advocates for Self-Government or the International Society for Individual Liberty, they’re both full of good information and more links to other resources for the liberty movement around the world.
Have you ever heard of libertarians before? Do you agree with these principles? If you don’t mind me asking, why or why not?
(Yes, I am hoping to start a discussion here). 🙂
Makes very good sense to me…common sense. How do we get so far away from it? Usually through rigid belief systems that stress how wrong everyone else is for not believing as we do…
Permalink: https://grieflessons.wordpress.com/2015/03/27/6867
I wonder that all the time Judy, and what would it take to change it?
I do agree with you about the intolerance, it seems to go right along with general stupidity in all areas
I generally tend to agree with most Liberterian principles other than their view on foreign affairs. Live and Let Live is a great motto to live by and I do agree the world would be a much better place if every one stood by this principle.
I can’t say I agree with them on everything either Gary, but I do agree with them on a hell of a lot more than I agree with either of the other parties. The big 2 have done nothing good for this country in a LONG time. I think its past time we try something else. I’m willing to take a chance. Seriously, how could they possibly be any worse?
I really like libertarianism up to a point- as Gary mentions, foreign affairs are an issue, and libertarianism doesn’t lend itself well to international relations when it’s practiced only unilaterally.
I’m more invested in the philosophy of the III Patriots, which unfortunately does attract extremists and other undesirables, but does emphasize individual rights, accountability and respect for personal freedom and justice (as opposed to ‘social’ justice, I suppose). This does run counter to the non-aggression policy of the libertarians. I’m thoroughly comfortable with using aggressive means to protect my own interests, based on my understanding of morality and personal sovereignty, which makes me a non-libertarian.
Paul, Libertarianism is not against defending yourself, it is only against the INITIATION of force. If someone is attacking you (in any way), you DO have the right to defend yourself in whatever way you have to. You can even justify a pre-emptive strike, if the attack on you is imminent. I have to say, I am not all that knowledgeable on the specifics of that subject. It was never my interest. The LP stands right along with the founding fathers as far as their foreign affairs goes. “Free trade with all, entangling alliances with none”. We REALLY should have stuck with those ideals, we would probably be a LOT better off. There is always the argument about WWI and WWII, but there is a whole lot involved in that history which most people are completely ignorant of (and I am not an expert either, I just read more than only what they taught us in school). The USA had a LOT to do with creating that whole mess and the mess we are STILL dealing with in the Middle East.
I am confused by what you said about the ‘philosophy of the III Patriots” (who are they? what is their philosophy? I’ve never heard of them). You say it ’emphasizes individual rights, accountability and respect for personal freedom and justice”, that is almost exactly what the LP is all about. I don’t understand why you said it “runs counter to the non-aggression policy” of the libertarians. How does it run counter?
I completely agree with you about using aggressive means to protect your interests, I would too. That certainly doesn’t make me a non-libertarian. The reason that I am PROTECTING (defending) my interests and NOT trying to violate somebody else’s rights. It is only when you START the aggression that it would be against libertarian principles.
As for personal sovereignity, that is the same thing as self-ownership. I always ask (when this comes up) if YOU don’t own yourself, then WHO does, and WHY????? And even better, HOW???? I HOPE that those questions will at least get people to stop and THINK for a minute, maybe even open their eyes to the possibilities out there. 🙂
My code is “Life is what YOU make it, so enjoy it”
That’s a GREAT code to live by! I think I’m too much of a pessimist most days.
Love reading your blog and looking at your pics. You are one busy person!
Thank you. I appreciate that!
Yeah, I am probably too busy. I would like to slow down, just don’t know how.