Incompetence and Errors in Reasoning Around Face Covering
SIX ERRORS:
1) missing the compounding effects of masks,
2) missing the nonlinearity of the probability of infection to viral exposures,
3) missing absence of evidence (of benefits of mask wearing) for evidence of absence (of benefits of mask wearing),
4) missing the point that people do not need governments to produce facial covering: they can make their own,
5) missing the compounding effects of statistical signals,
6) ignoring the Non-Aggression Principle by pseudolibertarians (masks are also to protect others from you; it’s a multiplicative process: every person you infect will infect others).
…
Sixth Error: The Non-Aggression Principle
“Libertarians” (in brackets) are resisting mask wearing on grounds that it constrains their freedom. Yet the entire concept of liberty lies in the Non-Aggression Principle, the equivalent of the Silver Rule: do not harm others; they in turn should not harm you. Even more insulting is the demand by pseudolibertarians that Costco should banned from forcing customers to wear mask — but libertarianism allows you to set the rules on your own property. Costco should be able to force visitors to wear pink shirts and purple glasses if they wished.
Note that by infecting another person you are not infecting just another person. You are infecting many many more and causing systemic risk.
Wear a mask. For the Sake of Others.
I am retired
and have much free time on my hands, so your site is the first I go to and check through out the day. Always good stuff! I have been a libertarian most of my life, unfortunately hiprocracy is a common human failing, continue to educate us all! I also was also a civil rights supporter and demonstrater, now I am worn out with the black card. I see no inherent special rights for anyone no matter who makes the claim, how large their number or how great their need, the world is in deed perishing. Now is a good time to read Atlas Shrugged and Galt out?
“Wear a mask. For the sake of others.” … is a collectivist argument to suppress the individual for some illusive greater good of humanity.
If you love liberty, consider Ludwig von Mises’ argument for methodological individualism:
“Individuals have different preferences, and only the individual may determine what is and is not in his own best interest. An individual who desires to keep his business open will deal only with others who individually desire to patronize his business. The business owner and his customers may take whatever protective actions they deem mutually appropriate. No one is forced to patronize a business that he believes is not taking appropriate safety measures, and business owners may require customers to take some sort of protective action in order to obtain their goods or services. All individuals have expressed their preferences, as only each may determine for himself.”
Excerpt from:
https://mises.org/wire/freedom-individuals-still-matters-even-if-covid-warriors-say-it-doesnt