Friday, September 14, 2018

An imaginary conversation between a Libertarian and a Statist

"How would you achieve your goals?" the Libertarian asked the Statist.

"That is simple.  We will have total control the parameters that are truly important." the Statist replied.

"And everything else?" the Liberatarian asked.

"Inconsequential." the Statist said said with a dismissive wave of the hand.

"You sound very sure." the Libertarian said.

"We have given this a great deal of thought and have total understanding of the issues." the Statist said smugly.

"That would mean, of course, that you have considered and dismissed every parameter that you chose to not, or cannot afford to control." the Libertarian said.

"Well, of course." the Statist agreed, puzzled.

"Would you mind sharing that?" the Libertarian asked.

"Sharing what?" the Statist asked.

"The list of everything 'else' in the universe that you are not controlling." the Libertarian said.  "The list of everything...you must have a list if you considered everything."

"That is clearly impossible." the Statist retorted.

"Then it is clearly impossible for you to 'have total understanding' and you are doomed to fail." the Libertarian replied serenely.

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