So people really are serious about trying to figure out what the truth value of the sentence “inequality is the defining issue of our time” is. Because the idea of the “defining issue of our time” is empty and meaningless, there is no serious way to debate about it. Normally if you want to debate… Continue reading Another intuition pump on the ‘defining issue of our time’
Category: Rhetoric
How does Wonkblog use “redistribution”?
I wrote a post today about Brad Plumer’s redistribution blindspot. The basic point is that Plumer uses the word “redistribution” in an ideological way that privileges an “everyday libertarian” baseline, deviations from which are considered redistribution. This set off the twitters, with primarily Dylan Matthews arguing back. I never did figure out what Plumer thought… Continue reading How does Wonkblog use “redistribution”?
A simpler rule for questions of when to interrupt speech
Some Brown students interrupted the speech of Ray Kelly, New York Police Chief. Then people argued about it on twitter. Then the Nation ran a point-counterpoint style forum for some of the key actors. Half think it is OK to interrupt and effectively shut down the speech. Half think it is not. Long time readers… Continue reading A simpler rule for questions of when to interrupt speech
Almost all charity arguments are analytically confused
I’ve written on charity stuff before. When it comes to economic issues, I prefer justice to charity. I prefer that we arrange our distributive institutions to achieve a fair distribution, not allow unfair distributions to happen that we then maybe ameliorate through private transfers. I think Oscar Wilde’s argument on this front is the most… Continue reading Almost all charity arguments are analytically confused
Two kinds of anti-paternalism
According to Wikipedia, paternalism is a behavior, by a person, organization or state, which limits some person or group’s liberty or autonomy for their own good. Anti-paternalism, it then follows, is the view that we should not limit some person or group’s liberty or autonomy for their own good. In the kinds of topics I… Continue reading Two kinds of anti-paternalism