A Very Annoying Argument with Michael Malice

Summary

In this philosophical discussion, the concept of life's inherent meaninglessness is explored as an opportunity for personal growth and moral development. The conversation delves into the idea that individuals have the freedom to define their own existence, akin to painting a blank canvas. It contrasts this with seeking security or status, advocating instead for a life of voluntary ascent and long-term sacrifice. The dialogue also touches on religious perspectives, the nature of sacrifice, and the importance of living in the moment while connecting to eternity.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The metaphor of a blank canvas on a mountaintop represents the opportunity to create meaning in life, suggesting that life's inherent meaninglessness is an opportunity for personal growth and self-expression.
• 🤔 The concept of 'existence precedes essence' is discussed, implying that our actions and choices define who we are, rather than an inherent nature or essence.
• 🏛 The idea of ordered freedom is presented as an alternative to tyranny and anarchism, suggesting that freedom within a framework of principles leads to voluntary ascent and personal growth.
• 📜 Reference to the Exodus story illustrates the importance of proper worship and the avoidance of immediate gratification, which can lead to chaos and loss of freedom.
• 🌐 The conversation touches on the incoherence of minimal government, arguing that attempts to create minimal government have historically led to the largest governments.
• 👑 The Old Testament is cited to discuss the desire of the Israelites for a king, despite God's advice against it, highlighting the human tendency to seek external control rather than personal responsibility.
• 🔒 The script mentions the importance of personal responsibility and how failing to take it can lead to tyranny, as those who do not take responsibility leave a void that can be exploited by tyrants.
• 😷 The discussion of COVID restrictions and people's desire for them reflects a longing for security over freedom, which can be a form of false security and a sign of group conformity.
• 🕊️ The promotion of ExpressVPN highlights the importance of internet privacy and the potential for ISPs to exploit user data, advocating for tools that protect online freedom.
• 📚 The reference to 'We Who Wrestle with God' and the biblical ethos suggests a focus on long-term sacrifice and the integration of the eternal into the present moment.
• 🛑 The conversation concludes with the idea that life is not a dress rehearsal and that each moment should be lived with the intention of contributing to a meaningful existence.

Q & A

What is the metaphor used to describe the two types of people when faced with a blank canvas?

The metaphor describes one type of person as seeing the blank canvas as a meaningless opportunity, while the other type sees it as a wonderful opportunity to create and express themselves, reflecting their attitudes towards life's inherent meaning or lack thereof.

What does the concept of 'existence precedes essence' imply in the context of the script?

It suggests that individuals first exist and then define their own essence or purpose in life, rather than having a predetermined essence or purpose that dictates their existence.

How does the speaker relate the idea of life being inherently meaningless to personal freedom?

The speaker views life's inherent meaninglessness as an opportunity for individuals to freely choose their own direction and meaning in life, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and moral choices.

What is the alternative to tyranny and slavery as discussed in the script?

The alternative is an 'ordered freedom,' which is a form of freedom that allows for voluntary ascent across a broad range of circumstances, aligning with the principle of subsidiarity.

What is the significance of the Exodus story in the context of the discussion on freedom and responsibility?

The Exodus story is used to illustrate the idea of escaping tyranny and the importance of worshiping in the wilderness as a metaphor for seeking a form of freedom that is not anarchic hedonism but an ordered freedom.

What does the speaker mean by 'the minarchist delusion'?

The speaker refers to the belief in a minimal or limited government as incoherent and impossible to achieve, citing historical examples where attempts to create minimal government have resulted in the opposite.

How does the speaker connect the desire for security with the potential for tyranny?

The speaker argues that when individuals seek security without taking personal responsibility, they open the door to tyranny, as they become dependent on external forces that can exploit this dependency.

What is the ethical requirement the speaker mentions in relation to personal responsibility?

The ethical requirement is to take up personal responsibility for one's actions and life, as failing to do so allows for the rise of tyrants who exploit this lack of responsibility.

How does the speaker view the relationship between the present moment and eternity?

The speaker views the present moment as an opportunity to infuse it with eternality by living each moment as if it could be relived for eternity, aligning with the concept of the highest possible good.

What is the concept of 'voluntary ascent' mentioned in the script?

Voluntary ascent refers to the process of individuals willingly striving for higher levels of moral and personal development, establishing relationships with themselves and others based on voluntary participation.

How does the speaker interpret Camus' view on life being inherently meaningless?

The speaker interprets Camus' view as a rebellion against arbitrary moral constraints, suggesting that life's meaninglessness is an opportunity to define one's own meaning and purpose.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Embracing Life's Canvas: Personal Growth and Moral Freedom

This paragraph discusses the philosophical concept of existence preceding essence, suggesting that life's inherent meaninglessness is an opportunity for individuals to craft their own identities and moral compasses. It contrasts two perspectives on life: one that sees it as a blank canvas for self-expression and creativity, and another that views it as a pointless endeavor. The speaker admires the idea of taking responsibility for one's life and actions, emphasizing that everyone has the capacity to be the person they aspire to be, despite the societal constraints and the fallacy of being able to do anything one wants. The paragraph also touches on the Exodus story, drawing parallels between the liberation from tyranny and the pursuit of ordered freedom, which aligns with the concept of voluntary ascent in personal development.

05:01

🛡️ Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age with ExpressVPN

The second paragraph shifts focus to the importance of online privacy, highlighting the intrusive practices of internet service providers (ISPs) who can monitor and sell users' browsing data. The speaker endorses ExpressVPN as a solution to safeguard privacy by encrypting and rerouting data through secure servers, thus preventing ISPs from accessing user activity. The ease of use of ExpressVPN is emphasized, with a one-click connection process that ensures privacy without sacrificing convenience. The paragraph includes a promotional offer for additional months of service, reinforcing the value of reclaiming privacy control in the digital world.

10:03

🗝️ The Quest for Meaning and the Rejection of Dogma

In this paragraph, the conversation delves into the nature of meaning in life, with a critique of societal and moral dogmas that may stifle individual growth and self-discovery. The speaker reflects on the philosophical underpinnings of voluntary ascent and the pursuit of a transcendental self, which involves establishing long-term relationships with oneself and others. The discussion contrasts the idea of life's meaninglessness as a form of rebellion against arbitrary moral constructs with the notion of infusing each moment with eternal significance. The paragraph concludes with the idea that true meaning comes from aligning with archetypal realities and participating in a tradition that endures through time.

15:03

🤝 The Agreement on Voluntary Ascent and the End of the Discussion

The final paragraph wraps up the conversation by highlighting the agreement reached between the participants on the concept of voluntary ascent, which is a structured and sophisticated pattern of personal development rather than a simple dogma. The discussion emphasizes the importance of not taking life lightly and the need to infuse each moment with a sense of purpose and eternality. The participants express their enjoyment of the conversation, acknowledging the annoyance of agreement as a testament to the depth of their shared understanding.

Keywords

💡Existence precedes essence

This concept, often attributed to Jean-Paul Sartre, suggests that humans are born into existence without a predefined purpose or essence, which they must then create through their choices and actions. In the video, it is used to discuss the idea that life's inherent meaninglessness provides an opportunity for individuals to define their own purpose and identity, as opposed to being assigned a role by society or nature.

💡Meaninglessness

The term 'meaninglessness' in the video refers to the existential idea that life lacks an inherent purpose or meaning. It is discussed as a liberating concept that allows individuals the freedom to create their own values and direction in life, rather than adhering to pre-established norms or expectations.

💡Voluntary Ascent

Voluntary Ascent is a concept that implies the conscious and deliberate effort to improve oneself and one's circumstances. In the video, it is presented as an ideal path for personal growth, where individuals actively choose to better themselves and their society, rather than being passively shaped by external forces or circumstances.

💡Restitution

Restitution in the video is mentioned in the context of making amends for mistakes. It implies a process of correction or compensation for wrongs done, suggesting that everyone has the capacity for moral improvement and the opportunity to rectify their errors.

💡Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity is a principle that emphasizes the importance of resolving issues at the most immediate or local level possible. In the video, it is discussed in relation to the Exodus story, suggesting that true freedom involves a form of escape from tyranny that is not chaotic or hedonistic but is instead an ordered freedom that respects local autonomy and responsibility.

💡Anarchism

Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for the absence of government and hierarchical authority. In the video, it is contrasted with libertarianism and the concept of a minimal government, with the argument that any form of government tends to expand and limit individual freedoms, thus the ideal of anarchism is presented as a form of ordered freedom that respects voluntary relationships and personal responsibility.

💡Minarchism

Minarchism is the political belief in a minimal state limited to protecting individuals from aggression, theft, breach of contract, and fraud. The video criticizes minarchism as an incoherent concept, arguing that historical attempts to create minimal governments have resulted in the expansion of state power, contrary to the original intent.

💡Time preference

Time preference refers to the preference of smaller, immediate rewards over larger, later rewards. In the video, it is discussed as a key element of the ethos presented in the biblical Corpus, where the optimal form of sacrifice involves prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term gains, reflecting a mature approach to life and decision-making.

💡Eternity

Eternity in the video is discussed in the context of integrating the infinite into the finite moment. It suggests that true fulfillment and meaning come from living each moment as if it were to be relived for eternity, thus bringing a sense of transcendental significance to everyday life.

💡Transcendental self

The transcendental self is a concept that refers to the part of an individual that seeks to connect with something beyond the immediate self, such as higher values, ideals, or a sense of eternity. In the video, it is associated with the idea of voluntary ascent and the pursuit of a meaningful life that aligns with archetypal realities and eternal truths.

💡Tradition

Tradition in the video is presented as a reflection of games or patterns of behavior that can be played iteratively and voluntarily. It implies a continuity of practices and beliefs that have stood the test of time because they resonate with objective realities and human nature, thus providing a stable foundation for cultural and personal identity.

Highlights

The concept of existence preceding essence and its metaphorical representation of life as a blank canvas for personal creation.

The idea that life's inherent meaninglessness provides an opportunity for individuals to define their own purpose and moral character.

The contrast between two types of people: those who see life's challenges as limitations versus those who see them as opportunities for creativity.

The discussion on the capacity for moral self-definition and the societal misconceptions about personal potential.

The philosophical debate on the nature of meaning, freedom, and the responsibility of choosing one's life direction.

The Exodus story's relevance to the concept of ordered freedom as an alternative to tyranny and anarchic hedonism.

The critique of the minimal government concept, arguing that it has historically led to the largest governments.

The ethical imperative of personal responsibility and how it prevents tyranny by not allowing others to take control.

The critique of utopian delusions and the dangers of government dependency, such as universal basic income.

The psychological analysis of why some people seek security over freedom and the implications for societal structures.

The discussion on the proper moral orientation and the contrast between seeking security and status versus a higher moral ethos.

The exploration of time preference and the concept of sacrificing short-term comfort for long-term gain, as seen in religious teachings.

The philosophical comparison between Judaism and Christianity on the concept of afterlife and the importance of appreciating life's gift.

The critique of the Marxist view that religion is an opiate of the masses, encouraging suffering in the present for an afterlife reward.

The philosophical discussion on the integration of eternity into the present moment and the importance of living each moment fully.

The metaphor of climbing a mountain to gain perspective and the opportunity it presents for unique personal creation.

The debate on the term 'meaningless' and its reinterpretation as a call for rebellion against arbitrary moral constructs.

The final thoughts on the importance of voluntary ascent and the pursuit of a pattern of optimal sacrifice for the transcendental self.

Transcripts

what kind of person do you want to be at

the end of the day is what it comes down

to and this is again why I'm such a Kimu

fan and and the idea that existence

precedes essence in I don't know if I'd

say that literally but the idea that we

have we the I always use this metaphor

and I think it's very informative where

there's two types of people you go to

top of mountain top and you see the

blank canvas and a bunch of paints and a

certain mentality like what is this this

is just stupid and the other type is

like this is a wonderful opportunity I

can paint this mountain side I can paint

something abstract I can paint myself I

can paint you know just this blade of

grass and that is what life is like that

that Kimo's version of life being

inherently meaningless is a great

opportunity for any of us to be the kind

of person to a certain extent that we

want to be and this is very very

exciting because we're not really taught

I mean you're taught in school that you

could do anything you want and that's

kind of a lie but in terms of you can be

the kind of person you want to be

morally that everyone does have that

capacity to be and we're all going to

make mistakes and that's what

restitution is for okay so let me ask

you why you conceptualize that as

meaningless and why it is that because

the it sounds to me like the the meaning

of what you mean by meaningless is

something like the freedom to choose the

direction correct okay but but but but

you've already made it clear that you

don't regard that okay so back to the

Exodus story I I'll tell you something

that H also that happens in Exodus very

interesting so when God enables Moses to

stand up to the Pharaoh he informs him

that there are certain words he should

use he says let my people go right it

was very famous phrase but that's not

what he says he says let my people go so

they may worship me in the wilderness

and that's that's very much relevant to

this issue of subsidiarity because what

it posits is that there's a form of

escape from tyranny that isn't well I

would say anarchic Hedonism let's try

that out right which is what happens

when the golden calf gets worshiped

right it's that

everybody reverts to immediate

gratification and everything descends

into hell it's an ordered freedom and

that's a vision of ordered Freedom

that's the proper Worship in the desert

and that's the alternative to tyranny

and slavery and that ordered Freedom

seems to me to be something like the

service of the principle that allows for

voluntary Ascent across the broadest

possible range of circumstances right

and that would be a very good there's is

there a difference then in your argument

for anarchism and the libertarian

argument for radically restricted

government like did they dovetail yeah 6

months okay so what do you mean meaning

this minarchist delusion is completely

incoherent uh there's no such thing as a

minimal government and and we've run

this experiment the Constitution was

designed to create the smallest

government possible and it ended up

creating the largest government that's

ever existed so if you're go so talking

Aristotle so you think it's inevitable

that the government just I don't think

so that's what the data tells us yeah so

you know one of the things that happens

in the Old Testament and by the way

before the Inc on the Constitution was

drive people were going to jail for

violating the first for spe free speech

so it didn't even last 5 years before

the Sedition laws were being

passed in the Old Testament the

Israelites once they escaped from the

Pharaoh call out to God continually for

a king yes and God says no you don't

want a king and the Israelites say yeah

we really want a king and God says no

you actually don't want a king what you

want to do is take responsibility for

your own lives and the Israelites go no

we want a king right and so so so that's

your point clean your room yeah well the

thing what what I've realized more and

more clearly too is that part of the

reason that you and this is an ethical

requirement I would say and this is part

of why I was struggling with Ran's

conceptualization but is that every bit

of responsibility that you don't pick up

for yourself tyrants will take use

against that's like yeah right right

right so that's also that's really the

core problem with the utop delusion is

because you could just imagine you know

you can hear you can see I've seen whiny

ticktockers about the fact that

they have to go to work and their

complaint is well why doesn't the

government we're rich enough so I could

be provided with a universal basic

income and I think well if you don't

have the imagination to see that if the

government made you so dependent or

encouraged you enticed you to become so

dependent that now you're dependent on

that Universal basic income if you can't

see that as the door opening to a

tyranny so absolutely pervasive you

could hardly imagine it then you're just

not thinking cuz of course that would

happen right but a lot of people don't

want to be free they want to be in that

cage we see it nowadays where people are

desperate to have Co restrictions back

and they're wearing

masks yeah well that's a false security

right yeah yeah it's also a cue that

you're a part of the in group it's a

very clear visual signal that you're one

of the good guys cuz I'm wearing yeah

well that's a form of that's a form of

security too in a form of unearned moral

of un unearned moral

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more yeah all right so so let's maybe

we'll close with this we probably should

so let's let's try this

so this is a complicated question all

right lightning round you're

contrasting that that form of in that

specific comment you are contrasting a

kind of of security and Status seeking

with the proper Moral Moral orientation

so let me try something on on on you for

size I don't it's necessarily status

necessarily I think a lot of people just

want security they don't care about

status they they okay that's fine that's

fine but you can imagine some people

would concern themselves with security

and other people might corre that's fine

that's fine and both of those could be

illusory and unearned correct okay so

obviously there's an

orientation that isn't that right that's

an alternative to that that you would

find admirable yes okay so here's one of

the things that I've been deriving I'm

writing this book on the on the biblical

Corpus called we who wrestle with God

and I've been trying to understand the

nature of the ethos that's being

presented okay so one of the things I

would say there's two elements to the

ethos one is that you sacrifice the

short term for the long term right so

that's a Time preference issue and in

fact that's the definition of sacrifice

so part of what the Old Testament is

about is an inquiry into the form of

sacrifice that's most pleasing to God

and it's clearly something like a

long-term sacrifice right is you put up

with the privations of the moment to

ensure riches in heaven yeah exact

exactly so so it's actually it's

actually a time frame that's extended

out into into eternity right which is a

very interesting thing right I mean I

mean I'm I'm not even sure what to make

of that is that like is the proper time

frame infinite like is that how you

should be regarding the echoing of each

of your actions because the answer to

that could hypothetically be yes well

this is a big distinction between

Judaism and Christianity or at least as

I was taught in Yeshiva where we were

taught that this whole when I went to

church for the first time with a bunch

of friends in the midwest they never met

a Jewish person before so they started

interrogating me I didn't have a lot of

the answers and one of the points is

Judaism is not at all thinking about the

afterlife because the way we're taught

is this life is a beautiful gift the

Creator and if you're looking if he's

giv you this amazing meal and you're

like what's for dessert it's almost

spitting in his face so appreciate this

gift you've given and do the most you

can with it in accordance with his wi as

and he let him worry about the dessert

he knows what he's doing right William

Blake would have a good a good objection

to that idea I would say because he his

Transcendent Vision was to see eternity

in a grain of sand right so that instead

of replacing the present with the

forestalled and suffering the error that

you just described is you integrate the

Eternal into the moment yes right right

which and then well that's you see that

you see Echoes of that in the gospel

insistence that Christ has that the

Kingdom of Heaven is spread upon the

Earth but men will not see it right so

it isn't something like it's ambiguous

because it's also what happens in the

infinite future but it isn't only that

it's what happens in the infinite future

that's infused into the current state

there's very different kinds of

Christianity and how they approach right

right right well and it's a complicated

problem because you know one of the

things we've talked about today is the

notion of time frame and the fact that

as you mature and I this is actually the

definition of maturation is that your

time frame expands right so that you're

trying to calculate the proper path

along along across the broadest possible

variety of iterations but I just also

feel very very strongly that this is

this this life as we have it no matter

what your religious view is not dress

rehearsal right and don't take it

lightly and no matter what your faith is

God put you on this Earth for a reason

and don't just be like H whatever I'm

I'll worry about it you know after with

in the afterlife yeah yeah well the you

can see that the what the exaggeration

of that Viewpoint leads to the Marxist

criticism that religion is just the

opiate of the masses is you can suffer

all you need to now because reward in

the afterlife will be infinite yeah well

I right no no I it seems to me that it

has something much more to do at a more

profound level with this notion of

infusing the moment with eternality is

that and N you kind of caught on to that

to some degree right because when he was

trying to work out what you would be

motivated by if you actually what would

you say Express what he described as the

will to power properly that you would

try to live every moment so that if you

were destined to have to relive that

moment for eternity you would say yes to

it right so yeah yeah so so that is that

is a conent you see and you see this in

the Sermon on the Mount too though

because what Christ basically says in

The Sermon on the Mount is that you

should Orient yourself towards the

highest possible good yes both

transcendentally and communally but then

you should concentrate intently on the

moment right right and then that brings

eternity into the present moment yes do

what you can with what you have and you

have that opportunity every single day

right and that's what presents well and

I actually actually think that that is

the reality that presents itself that

what we see you're metaphor of being on

a mountain with the with the with the

easel in front of you is a metaphor that

if so you climb the mountain now you can

see everywhere right so that's a

transcendental PL place and so your

metaphoric claim in that imagery was

that if you climb to the place where you

can see everything that what presents

itself in front of you is something like

a blank canvas now you Associated that

with meaninglessness but that's a

strange Association because I would

associate that with the deepest of all

possible meanings is that you have the

ability to participate in creation

itself essentially so why do you in why

does it cuz cvus is blank and there's no

wrong answer per se well there might be

a an answer that violates the principle

of voluntary Ascent sure and it might be

that you're going to draw a painting

that looks like complete garbage right

but the point is this is an opportunity

and this is an opportunity that's

Uniquely Yours and and this is not

something to take lightly okay so but

still why meaningless like this is

tamu's word right he says life is

inherently meaningless meaning this idea

that you have to live for the sake of

society right okay I see so so you see

it you see that as a rebellion against

an arbitrary moral C essentially that's

one of his books is called The Rebel so

yes yes yeah okay okay okay so that's

right all right so I would see that as a

variant of of what the the insistence

that you should follow the spirit Spirit

instead of the Dogma you don't

substitute Dogma for Spirit correct okay

look that's a good place to end actually

and unfortunately you never said the

second thing you said there were two

things oh yes okay oh I'm sorry

yes yes AB oh sorry absolutely okay well

so so the sacrifice there has see see

the question that emerges in the Old

Testament Corpus is what's the nature of

the optimized sacrifice right and it it

is it's something like it's something

like we've discussed already it's the

sacrifice it's the ultimate sacrifice of

the narrow self to the transcendental

self and this is where I was having

trouble with ram because I wasn't sure

how she organized the transcendental

cell we've already defined like the

transcendental self is the self one of

the ways of thinking about is the self

that enables you to establish a

voluntary relationship even with

yourself across long spans of time while

simultaneously doing that with other

people who are also voluntarily doing it

right there's a pattern there and this

is why the meaningless thing got me a

bit because if there's a pattern of

voluntary Ascent that's optimal which is

what you're striving for in this

anarchism then it then that's not

meaningless it's just structured in a

very complex and sophisticated way that

can't be reduced to a simple Dogma

correct and also in terms of being

transcendental we're still talking about

her 40 years after she died so her

Mission has been accomplished right her

works and engagement right well that's

that's the thing about you know if your

work is infused with something

approximating Eternal truth right which

means that it would highlight certain

archetypal realities those would be

objective realities in her phraseology

um then it's going to last because is

part of the tradition that lasts and the

tradition that lasts is a reflection of

games that can be played iteratively

voluntarily okay okay okay so that's

even a better place to end okay you are

welcome all right all right so it turns

out that we agree that's very very

annoying I love being anoy it's my brand

all right sir very good to talk to

[Music]

you