http://swordlie.com A history of the state and its apologists Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:30:38 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en An essential characteristic of man is that he acts. Action is purposeful behavior, that is the behavior of rationally utilizing means for an ends. We call means that have material embodiment "technology." We call means that do not have material embodiment "techniques". Mankind has always been ... http://swordlie.com/2009/03/25/on-techniques/ All professions have a tendency toward self-importance. So it should be no surprise that historians have a distinct bias towards eras in which their own forerunners (ancient chroniclers and historians) were existent and employed. Thus, societies without chroniclers are termed "dark ages". Of course these ages are ... http://swordlie.com/2009/03/16/vain-intellectuals-and-wise-workers/ The state was likely born out of a cult. The former would not have been supportable with the latter. Further, it is unlikely that the latter would last long without evolving into the former. Thus it is reasonable to believe that both would have originated in the ... http://swordlie.com/2009/03/14/cradle-of-the-state/ As I argued in my post The sword and the lie, the state is a symbiosis of violent criminals (the sword) and propagandizing intellectuals (the lie). The sword needs the lie. Rulers always outnumber the ruled, so a reign predicated on bald criminality (like a protection racket) would shortly be ... http://swordlie.com/2009/02/22/the-racket-and-the-cult/ I normally wouldn't quote another work at such length, but the following seven paragraphs are devastatingly true and important, and need to be disseminated as widely as possible. I couldn't summarize or abbreviate it without losing something crucial. I can only hope to encapsulate its lesson, as I ... http://swordlie.com/2009/02/17/the-sword-and-the-lie/ It has been argued that man has only risen from the depths of squalor upon becoming "civilized", that is, upon coalescing into a civitas, or state. Thus mainstream history textbooks include the origination of government as a crucial step in the "march of progress."Great prosperity is the fruit of ... http://swordlie.com/2009/02/14/between-the-rivers-before-the-state/ Aristotle argued that the state is the form of society with the highest purpose:"Every state is an association of some kind, and every association is established with a view to some good; for mankind always act in order to obtain that which they think good. But, if all associations aim ... http://swordlie.com/2009/02/14/aristotle-on-the-state/ The only difference between the taxing state and a robber is that the former, through its apologists (ancient priests, modern experts, etc) makes you think its for your own good, and subjects you to a greater variety of injustice. In fact, the comparison makes the profession of robbery look downright ... http://swordlie.com/2009/02/14/spooner-on-the-state/ There is a moral code written in our nature.  When we take up an unused piece of nature and begin to use it, we instinctively think of it as our property.  We take instinctive affront when our person or our property is assaulted by others.  We feel instinctive outrage when ... http://swordlie.com/2009/02/13/natural-morality/ Again, I am writing a series of posts called "A History of Truth and Prosperity".  What do I mean my "truth" and "prosperity"?TruthBy "truth" I mean the history of mankind's search for knowledge. My theory is that human learning thrives in a condition of linguistic unity and  jurisdictional disunity.Linguistic UnityIt's ... http://swordlie.com/2008/01/02/unity-of-language-disunity-of-power-explained/