From the White-PillBox: Part 15
Truth prevails
We do not often think about the importance and power of truth.
To be sure, the crucial role of truth is implied virtually every time we communicate. Our discussions and writings are generally declaratory, almost always making a statement about the real world. We attempt to describe reality as it is or as it was. Also, we make predictive statements about how the world will be. Even when we express opinions about how the world ought to be, they are truthful declarations of our beliefs. All this demonstrates the fundamental place that truth holds for us.
It is not difficult to understand why truth is so important.
As humans we must navigate the real world. To survive (and hopefully prosper), our thoughts and actions must conform to reality. The better we do this, the better our chances for success. But ignoring reality (relying on blind luck, wishes, superstition, etc.) carries greater risk of failure.
The big-picture principle is: human survival and flourishing requires thinking and choices grounded in reality.
Moreover, from the opposite perspective we see that the real world asserts itself. There are consequences to our actions - consequences that befall ourselves or others. Even when others intervene to shield us from consequences, reality asserts itself - upon someone, somehow, at some time.
The freedom philosophy (anarcho-capitalism) is rooted in truth
The Ancap philosophy is grounded in the real world science of human action. We call it a real world science because it is descriptive (what is 1).
Most other fields of social thought are either prescriptive (what ought to be), or a mix of descriptive and prescriptive. Rooted in the real world, the science of human action stands alone among other social sciences: in its explanatory analysis of past human events, and its efficacy in predicting the likely outcome of current human actions.
Additionally, the non-aggression principle is not merely a foundation of a stateless society. It reflects the reality of today. It perfectly describes the simple, moral intuition of the vast majority. And the majority already practice it, interacting peacefully and voluntarily in their private day-to-day lives.
White Pill 1: advocates of freedom have truth as their ally
Their advocacy and activism are grounded in reality. This gives their efforts an advantage over advocates of statism. Statists’ principles are untethered from the real world of human action. Moreover they support the initiation of force.
Freedom advocates have, at the least, an incrementally better chance at persuading others.
White Pill 2: the inescapable fact that statism is unsustainable
Actions have consequences. Statism is not exempt from this principle. It creates uncertainty, pain, suffering and death. But the State persists on the flimsy belief that it is legitimate for some men to coercively rule others.
The truth of statism’s inherent nature is becoming more evident with time.
Superficially, these may not seem potent White Pills
It can be difficult for advocates of freedom to appreciate these White Pills. Truth prevails, but unfortunately all too slowly. Most White Pills, on the other hand, are more immediately obvious. They reflect events or cultural trends that are fairly easy to see, and thereby provide ready hope.
But the truths of the freedom philosophy have a better chance than ever, thanks to the evolving Internet and social media.
In the old days, the flow of public information was monopolized by a handful of media sources that were exclusively state-biased. Truth had an uphill battle.
Today’s world of broad and rapid information flow stands in stark contrast. Though in its infancy and therefore often disjointed and confusing, it nonetheless gives truth innumerable pathways. As technology evolves and information flow further decentralizes, truth has an exponentially greater chance to emerge intact.
Meanwhile, corporate media continues on its pathway to extinction.
Truth, as freedom’s strongest armor, will continue to travel cleaner paths into the light of day.
In the classic is/ought dichotomy (what “is”, versus what “ought to be”), the science of human action describes what is. Meaning, that which is true. Since reality is governed by cause and effect, human actions (causes) lead to consequences (effects).
The science of human action analyzes the outcomes and dynamics of our actions (in particular, the social context).