Voluntaryist Manifesto
Voluntaryism is a philosophy that is applicable to all human beings. It is based on the concepts of the self, relationships, and society, whereby all interactions are voluntary as far as possible.
The self is that which defines an individual human being. It is an effect of consciousness, which is in turn an effect of matter and energy. Therefore, the self is the concept that describes the mind and body of an individual human being. The individual is independent of others and as such has sovereignty over their body, mind, and actions. They in effect own themselves, and the effects of their selves. This is known as self-ownership, and forms the basis of ethics. Each individual prefers to not be aggressed against. If they were to prefer to aggress against others then they would also prefer aggression against themselves. It is for this reason that the ethic of non-aggression is universally preferable. This therefore means that all initiation of physical violence is unethical. To use violence in defence of the self can be called ethical, as it is preferable for the self to survive over not surviving. Any form of physical aggression is an abdication of this preference in the moment that the violence is initiated. For the individual to be ethical, all relationships with others must be voluntary.
Each individual becomes physically independent of any other individual at birth, however is dependent on caregivers for material and psychological support until the age upon which they are capable to care for themselves in maturity. As caregivers chose to produce offspring, they chose the obligation to care and raise them to maturity. If support is lacking during these years of immaturity, the individual will reach maturity with a high probability of developing psychological problems. It is therefore necessary for caregivers to provide the maximum support possible, to maximise all positive interactions, and eliminate all negative interactions. In so doing, individuals will reach maturity as fully realised human beings. Other than the relationship between caregiver and offspring, all relationships must be negotiated between consenting parties. As all relationships with others must be voluntary for individuals to be ethical, no individual can use force against another. It is for this reason that a marketplace of individuals, products, and services is available and utilised. In a market individuals are free to choose. If an individual is not free to choose, then the situation is no longer ethical.
A society is a concept that describes the relationships of a large group of individuals, such as a market. It also refers to another group of individuals known as a government. A government is a collection of individuals who believe that they are exempt from ethical conduct, many of whom experienced a deficiency of support during immaturity. Individuals not of the government have no choice but to interact with those in the government. Each time an individual produces something of value, a portion of that value is forcibly taken by those in government. Each time an individual exchanges something of value with another individual, a portion of that value is forcibly taken by those in government. Any individual who resists the taking of value will be declared unethical. If the individual resists to the point of using violence, it is unlikely that the individual will survive. Sometimes a government will declare another government as unethical and attempt to force that government to comply with their wishes. This is known as war, and the reality of the situation is that many innocent individuals do not survive such conflicts. It is therefore necessary that the concept known as government be phased out of use and replaced with a market. This is the only ethical position available.
When individuals are supported by their caregivers until maturity and do not believe they are exempt from ethics, violence will diminish and voluntary interactions will flourish.
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