(Continued) Today we look at a video from self-proclaimed liberal atheist Steve Shives. Targeting libertarianism, this video is part of his "5 Stupid Things About..." collection. Many of you might enjoy some of his work, so please check out his website, stevelikestocurse.com.

SERIES BACKGROUND:
We are now rebooting the series for the purposes of review and expansion. Tony Myers will be the permanent co-host for these episodes. See Tony's past School Sucks contributions here, and please have a look at Tony's comprehensive notes on the science of logic here.

Logic is about understanding reality in a non-contradictory way and how can we see things for what they are.

Metaphysical Laws
1.Identity
2.Causality
3.Non-Contradiction

Discussion With Tony Myers:
-Applying the Trivium
-The rhetorical approach of Steve Shives
-More on why we failed in our first attempt to record this show
-Fallacies in "Stupid Things" numbers four and five
-The "Robber Barons"

4. It puts On Airs
We Agree but an atheist has nothing on libertarians?

What about statists? Ideas are so good we're justified carrying them out by the use or threat of violence

5. It's Naive
Yes, in a world we've inherited from complete insanity, it is.

Irony - graphic while describing libertarian dystopia
"Robber Barons: Proof that libertarianism does not work"
did you do your homework on these people?

GRAMMAR
who are the Robber Barons?
when did they exist?
What did they do
Where did they get their power?

These questions could launch us in to a whole historiographical discussion about the origin and intention of that term, and it's staying power in college textbooks of today.

The Truth About the "Robber Barons" - Thomas J. DiLorenzo - Mises Daily

As common as it is to speak of "robber barons," most who use that term are confused about the role of capitalism in the American economy and fail to make an important distinction — the distinction between what might be called a market entrepreneur and a political entrepreneur. A pure market entrepreneur, or capitalist, succeeds financially by selling a newer, better, or less expensive product on the free market without any government subsidies, direct or indirect. The key to his success as a capitalist is his ability to please the consumer, for in a capitalist society the consumer ultimately calls the economic shots. By contrast, a political entrepreneur succeeds primarily by influencing government to subsidize his business or industry, or to enact legislation or regulation that harms his competitors.

So if we accept the idea of the malevolence of the robber baron, we have proof that the state is dangerous.

Music:
Tycho - "Dictaphones Lament"
Wham - "Freedom"

Look Closer:


2 Aristotle Logic from History and Philosophy of Science


Will Durant - The Story of Philosophy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Philosophy

Tragedy & Hope Communications - http://www.tragedyandhope.com/

Trivium Education - http://www.triviumeducation.com/trivium/

Logical Fallacies Handlist - http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/fallacies_list.html


Please Support School Sucks
Our Amazon Wish List
Donate With Bitcoin
Or Join the A/V Club
Your continued support keeps the show going and growing, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering this message. This subscription also grants you access to the A/V Club, a bonus content section with 200+ hours of exclusive audio and video. If you are a regular consumer of our media, please consider making a monthly commitment by selecting the best option for you...







Join the A/V Club! $6.00/Month















Join the A/V Club! $9.00/Month















Join the A/V Club! $12/Month