From: Kai Becker (kmb@kai-m-becker.de)
Date: Thu Jan 10 2002 - 01:07:35 MST
Am Donnerstag, 10. Januar 2002 05:12 schrieb hal@finney.org:
> In the context of transhumanism, what is the difference between
> libertarianism and its main alternative, modern liberal Western
> democratic government? [...]
> The libertarian
> believes that the individual has the right to do as he wishes so long as
> he doesn't harm others. To the extent that the social democrat
> disagrees, he must believe that the individual does not have such rights.
> He must believe that government has the right to decide what forms of
> transhuman expression are to be allowed.
The main problem IMO is to precisely define "harm" - and how to judge it.
The other is how to ensure the rights for everyone. IIRC, the libertarian
opinion is that the forces will regulate themselves, even when they are on
very different power levels (e.g. green peaceniks against some militia).
Liberal democrats are afraid that groups with strong financial or physical
power will overrun others and deny them their rights.
Kai
-- == Kai M. Becker == kmb@kai-m-becker.de == Bremen, Germany == "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced"
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