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The Opportunity in Our Present Crisis
Property rights suffered unprecedented attacks in 2020. These attacks came from a variety of sources and took many different forms. Virtually nobody was spared from the destructive consequences. The assault was started by local and state governments when they restricted our freedom to produce and trade. Businesses were forced to close, and many will never…
Uncertainty is the New Normal
On Thursday, a federal judge in Texas declared the eviction moratorium imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unconstitutional. “Although the Covid-19 pandemic persists, so does the Constitution,” the judge wrote in his ruling. The Department of Justice has announced that it will appeal. Diane Yentel, president and chief executive of the National…
Judging the Coronavirus Science
Government officials frequently tell us that they are “following the science.” While this may make their decisions seem objective, philosopher Ben Bayer argues that the specialized science–including medicine–don’t settle questions of value. Only the science of morality does that. If we are to move forward, we need leaders who are willing to guide their decisions…
The Full Context
When deciding on a course of action, we must consider all of the known and relevant facts. We mustn’t consider the issue in isolation. We must consider the full context. This is true for an individual and it is true for a society. Considering the full context includes looking beyond the immediate moment. It means…
Most People aren’t Rational
Many Americans, including President Biden, believe that wearing a mask in public should be mandated by law. Violators should be subject to criminal prosecution. Wearing a mask, the argument goes, will protect the wearer, as well as those around him. If this is true, and there is substantial evidence supporting it, then why aren’t we…
Friday Roundup 5-14-21
One of the latest trends in the “tenants’ rights” movement is to provide free legal representation for tenants facing eviction. Washington state has passed such a law and other states are considering doing so. As with nearly everything associated with “housing justice,” these laws will ultimately create a host of new problems. As one example,…