tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048405844159177205.post4931314380917681849..comments2023-10-24T09:02:49.903-05:00Comments on The Dimming Torch: The real problem with Ebenezer ScroogeMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13856294228614073546noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048405844159177205.post-67615687446633988522011-01-11T01:03:13.563-06:002011-01-11T01:03:13.563-06:00I agree with your point that Scrooge is not conver...I agree with your point that Scrooge is not converted to a particular political philosophy. I also agree that many a libertarian is a kindly social fellow who likes helping people.<br /><br />My point above, as I wrote, is that if we take libertarianism to it's extreme, then we are left with a philosophy that says it is best to simply let each other alone. This is, in fact, exactly what Scrooges says. His social philosophy is identical to his personal preference and behavior. <br /><br />So Scrooge's transformation has nothing directly to do with liberal or conservative politics. It does, however, have a great deal to do with how we view ourselves in relation to others around us and whether we grasp our unity with them or delude ourselves in to thinking them "another race of creatures, bound on other journeys." <br /><br />Libertarianism, at its most extreme at least, thinks of human beings as fundamentally separate, the pre-reformation Scrooge lives out of this brand of extremism. <br /><br />I doubt, of course, that Dickens intended to portray Scrooge as libertarian, more likely Uncle Ebby is a-political, but he shares in that aspect of their philosophy, and puts it into play in his every day encounters with others.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13856294228614073546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5048405844159177205.post-89583723056606337392010-12-31T17:23:59.112-06:002010-12-31T17:23:59.112-06:00A libertarian is somebody who wants limited govern...A libertarian is somebody who wants limited government. Most libertarians are quite social. And in fact, people who distrust government can be quite generous.<br /><br />Scrooge, after his ghostly visitations did not go out and demand that more tax money be spent on social welfare projects (like work houses, which are now out of fashion but were the government welfare of their time). He gave freely of his own money.John McAdamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04843727752066511266noreply@blogger.com