From the White-PillBox: Part 51
Another logically inconsistent position of statism: wishing does not actually make things come true; wishing works in our beliefs about the State.
This installment of the White Pill series offers another example of the internal contradictions of statism. As explained in essay 36, one of statism’s fundamental weaknesses (and thus a major White Pill) is how so many of its positions lead to logical inconsistencies.
In this essay we examine perhaps the most embarrassingly childish contradiction of statism. Any reasonably mature person knows that their wishes do not make things come true. Even statists grasp this. And yet their belief in the State, and all the expectations that go along with it, essentially boil down to wishing.
The statist has nothing
Statists can never put into plain English exactly how government can accomplish positive things for humanity. They have to blank-out their failure to provide evidence and logic. Instead they hide behind vague generalities, tradition, and patriotism.
But they really, really want it to be true
Without evidence - indeed, despite the evidence - they believe the State can accomplish wonderful things. They want this to be true, ever so much. To them, wanting this to happen, means it will happen.
That’s wishing.
When children wish…
The yearnings of children to believe fantastic things is adorable. We enjoy watching their wide-eyed joy…innocent little humans, not yet aware of the limits of the real world.
When adults wish…
Let’s face it…it’s cringy.
For one, it’s embarrassing
Adults don’t act as if their wishes actually make things come true. We all know that sort of belief is an absurdity in the real world.
It’s all the more embarrassing because what children do innocently, statists do intentionally.
What happens in the minds of cult members? Their critical thinking is switched off. They accept the cult on blind faith. They reject contrary ideas out of hand.
This is statism to the letter.
It’s religious faith…in the State
Most people who are religious will acknowledge that their beliefs are faith-based. They do not attempt to use the rigor of evidence and the scientific method to prove their positions. They are generally honest enough to use the terms faith and belief.
But the statist is hypocritical. He conveys certainty about his positions on government, and would deny they are faith-based.
More like Santa Claus
And that’s what makes it all the more cringy. Like a child’s belief in Santa, statists cannot anchor their faith in government to the real world of cause-and-effect.
Which means only one thing. Just as a child imagines Santa brings presents by magic, the statist thinks government brings wonderful outcomes by magic.
Conclusion
Our White Pill is quite satisfying. As this sub-series continues to demonstrate, statism is pitifully infected with a host of logical contradictions. Although most statists don’t see these contradictions, they sense that logic and reality are not on their side. Otherwise they would not resort to mentally running and hiding behind slogans and mushy abstractions.
All of which leaves them simply wishing that statism can work.
The State is indeed a weak adversary, since its support structure is as flimsy as a wish.
