[From Norman Hovda (2000.04.13.2300 MST)]
[From Bill Powers (2000.04.13.1608 MDT)]
Norman Hovda (2000.04.13.1000 MST)--
>If PCT suggests that controlling other living control systems is
>ineffective, unproductive and even distructive (Chapter 17 B:CP) how is it
>then, considering all the possible trade-offs, that PCT advocates for
>doing anything NOW, that in any manner intends to coerce?
PCT doesn't advocate doing anything; it simply tells you what results to
expect. Coercing someone, PCT predicts, will result in conflict. So if a
mugger demands your money, and you coercively prevent him or her (equal
opportunity) from mugging you, there will be conflict between you and the
mugger. Now we are beyond theory and into applications. You must now judge
what will happen in a conflict between you and the mugger. If the mugger is
much stronger than you, or has a weapon, you may judge that you would lose
the conflict, so you would decide not to resist. There are all kinds of
considerations -- other goals -- involved, so no blanket recommendation is
possible.
Yes. poor question on my part.
Doing something NOW, as I put it, may not involve anything coercive at all.
As I suggested, one first move to mollify the opposition (i.e., you and
Mike) might be a concerted effort to locate and remove laws and regulations
that are no longer justified, or that can clearly be shown to be unjust. I
would concur in that, and I expect you would, too. It might even be
possible to get legislators to concur; it's a project that sounds
politically nice, and might even be a real vote-getter. If we could somehow
get rid of all laws and regulations that are considered onerous, arbitrary,
or unneeded, it might be possible to get a consensus on the remaining laws
and regulations, which presumably address issues on which we are agreed, or
not far apart on.
Best,
Bill P.
Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause,
Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause,
Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause,
Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause,
Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause,
Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause,
nth