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From: gandalf@hogpd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: A Consistantly answered question
Message-ID: <191@hogpd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 25-Oct-83 11:37:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: hogpd.191
Posted: Tue Oct 25 11:37:59 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Oct-83 06:16:11 EDT
Lines: 37


Tom's definition of rationality is still not operational enough to work
with, and does not resolve the problem of conflicting rationalities.

For example, the people of Flakeville, Vt. write Mr. Rational, complaining
that his steel plant in PA is causing acid rain in their area and to do
something about it. Mr. Rational asks his scientists to investigate and
they find no evidence to support Flakeville's claims. Flakville then asks
the Fed. Gov. to investigate, and their scientists find conclusive evidence
(by their standards) that Mr. Rational is causing acid rain and severe damage
in Flakeville. Mr. R says the Gov. scientists are incompetent and will only
trust the word of his people or those of his friend Ms. Alsorational. The
people of Flakeville and the Gov. say that Mr. R's and Ms. A's scientists
are incompetent and biased and will only listen to scientists living in 
Flakeville or working for the Gov.

Now the Gov. thinks Mr. R is  being irrational and slaps an injunction on him.
Mr. R thinks they are being irrational and refuses change production.

Ok, does the Gov. have the right to call in the Army and force Mr. R. to
change his ways (after all he is taking something from the people of Flakeville
and he is being irrational) ? Does Mr. R. have the right to build tanks and
fight back against the Gov. (After all they are trying to take something
away from him and they are being irrational)?

(I am trying to make the point that people always think that THEY are the
one being rational. The question is then when is force used and by whom
to settle conflicting rationalities. I personally believe in Rand's
values, but don't see how one could run a society based on them.)

(This example is meant to deal with rationality not with externalities
and pollution. Assume Mr. R. do something if he thought he was causing
acid rain. Please keep my main point in mind, and don't get lost
in my example.)

                                                    Monty Estis
                                                    hogpd!gandalf