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> This is a helpful thought experiment That "thought experiment" isn't really helpful. It just starts with a particular morally-charged framing, and creates a
by CharlesColeman 8y ago
> This is a helpful thought experiment
That "thought experiment" isn't really helpful. It just starts with a particular morally-charged framing, and creates a mechanism to push that framing forward towards a conclusion, while discouraging thought about any other principles.
You could probably construct an infinite number of other "experiments" that push towards an infinite number of different conclusions on any topic, like "How many men...does it take to give you property rights? Do you own the car if only you say so? What if a gang of five men say you own the car..."
- UncleEntity 8y agoI would disagree... I believe the point is to illustrate that you either have inalienable natural rights or you don't -- which is usually the basis of the "taxation is theft" argument -- i.e. you either own the produce of your labor or some other entity owns it and allows you to keep a portion of it out of kindness or whatever. Not arguing for or against just explaining the reasoning behind their reductio ad absurdum "thought experiment".