2 ms·

They are not the source code of society, they are the source code of the system. Big difference. Without any laws, you would probably have a very equitable si

They are not the source code of society, they are the source code of the system. Big difference. Without any laws, you would probably have a very equitable situation, based on 'treating others as you would like to treat others'. Its very simple. It is possible to conceive of a (better) society existing. How we could get to that from where we are now, where most people are incapable of managing themselves, and instead demand to be managed by system, is a different question. If, on the other hand, you want to enforce your advantage over others, to make them do things that they do not want to do, you need a system.

daedalus_f 6y ago
Pretty much the entirety of human history stands in contradiction to the idea that if we were each left alone to make up our own rules we would all just be nice to each other, even if you go back to Rousseau’s state of nature [1]. You say I need a system to enforce an advantage over you but, without it, all I need is force of arms. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_warfare https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_warfare
- feralimal 6y ago
  But then, history is written by the victors. The system would certainly write a history that appears supportive of its own necessity. History is an 'interpretive' act. It is does not accurately relay the truth. You have absolutely no idea about what transpired in the past, except what you have been taught. And you were taught within the system. Perhaps you should watch 'The Village' :)
- ClumsyPilot 6y ago
  Most of the human history was illiterate, hungry, supersticious, and suffering from tapeworms. You can't project ancient barbarians onto modern people as any kind of proof. There is a great book, called "better angels of our nature".
feralimal 6y ago
I meant: 'treat others as you would like to be treated yourself'!

daedalus_f 6y ago

Pretty much the entirety of human history stands in contradiction to the idea that if we were each left alone to make up our own rules we would all just be nice to each other, even if you go back to Rousseau’s state of nature [1]. You say I need a system to enforce an advantage over you but, without it, all I need is force of arms. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_warfare https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_warfare

feralimal 6y ago
But then, history is written by the victors. The system would certainly write a history that appears supportive of its own necessity. History is an 'interpretive' act. It is does not accurately relay the truth. You have absolutely no idea about what transpired in the past, except what you have been taught. And you were taught within the system. Perhaps you should watch 'The Village' :)
ClumsyPilot 6y ago
Most of the human history was illiterate, hungry, supersticious, and suffering from tapeworms. You can't project ancient barbarians onto modern people as any kind of proof. There is a great book, called "better angels of our nature".

feralimal 6y ago

I meant: 'treat others as you would like to be treated yourself'!