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Why Is Sam Altman a Free Man?

265 points · 240 comments · ragall

  1. k310 · · focus · HN ↗
    Wilhoit's law.

    “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”

    <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;pylimitics.net&#x2F;wilhoits-law&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;pylimitics.net&#x2F;wilhoits-law&#x2F;

    1. monideas · · focus · HN ↗
      Conservatism would actually be encoding the differing treatment for the in-groups vs out-groups directly and explicitly into the law.

      For example, under Jewish law a Gentile who commits theft against another Gentile is liable for the death penalty, whereas it is not a capital crime when a Jew commits theft against another Jew.

      Liberals cannot even conceive of such a thing since it contravenes the basic premise of liberalism so they can only conceptualize it in the way you outlined.

      And by the way, this means that this in-group vs out-group thing (“two-tier justice system”) happens under liberal regimes, it just doesn’t get acknowledged officially.

      We’re talking about a basic human sociological reality that is modeled incorrectly by liberalism.

      1. bluegatty · · focus · HN ↗
        Not quite - in a very classical form of Conservatism, the Monarch and Nobles would have a different set of laws and social conventions. Usually, it&#x27;s not an ideolgoical thing.

        Aka Magna Carta &#x27;3 tiers of society&#x27; - the Monarch, Nobles, Plebes etc.

        Or in Roman society, Nobles&#x2F;Senators, Free people, slaves.

        1. monideas · · focus · HN ↗
          How is this different from what I’m saying? What you listed is precisely the examples of what I’m talking about
          1. bluegatty · · focus · HN ↗
            It&#x27;s not about in-groups and out-groups - that is far to general.

            Historically, conservatism would have been strongly related to power structures.

            In more contemporary terms it is as well, but not ostensibly about class.

            There are no popular conservative movements that are mostly concerned with &#x27;noble birth&#x27; for gosh sakes, or titles.

            This whole discussion is ridiculoous.

            Nobody is saying that &#x27;The children of Senators should have special titles and special legal status&#x27;.

            1. monideas · · focus · HN ↗
              There are no popular conservative movements in the US at all. “Popular conservative movement” is almost an oxymoron.

              The “conservative movement” in the US is just liberalism, the US was conceived as a liberal project. The founding mythology is a revolution against a king

              1. bluegatty · · focus · HN ↗
                No, Conservatism is a group of well accepted political ideals, and they can be also be populist.
                1. monideas · · focus · HN ↗
                  What are these political ideals?
                  1. bluegatty · · focus · HN ↗
                    It would be conspiratorial and glib to suggest that widely accepted ideals somehow &#x27;do not exist&#x27;.

                    This is one of the few places where people would try to make the case.

                    [1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Conservatism" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Conservatism

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