Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@iabw

iabw/Why Carlyle Matters.md

Last active June 27, 2016 20:47
Show Gist options
  • Star 0 You must be signed in to star a gist
  • Fork 0 You must be signed in to fork a gist
  • Save iabw/25e33e6befdbcd9cc0e014a31d4d7f06 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save iabw/25e33e6befdbcd9cc0e014a31d4d7f06 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
Raw
Why Carlyle Matters.md

Saved as reference for LambdaConf 2016 Controversy. I don't endorse, agree with, condone, etc.

Once we get this far, we are almost all the way to Carlyle on slavery. We have not agreed that a man can be born a slave, but we agree that he can sell himself into slavery. That is: he can sign a contract with a master in which the slave agrees unconditionally to obey and work for the master, and the master agrees unconditionally to protect and support the slave.

…

It is only a short step from seeing the State as an enforcer of voluntary and binding obligations, to an enforcer of involuntary and arbitrary obligations. No society can possibly exist without uncontracted obligations.

…

We see these same relationship parameters emerging whether the relationship of domination originates as a hereditary obligation, or as a voluntary obligation, or in a state outside law such as the state of the newly captured prisoner (the traditional origin of slave status in most eras). This is a pretty good clue that this structure is one to which humans are biologically adapted.

…

Not all humans are born the same, of course, and the innate character and intelligence of some is more suited to mastery than slavery.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment