There are many ideas concerning the purpose of the state: why it appears, what its functions are and so on. The economical science has a simple answer to this question that is limited to one phrase: the free-rider problem. The free-rider problem is an economical problem that is based on the fact that certain members…
Are the Natural Resources of the Earth Limited?
Every now and then we can hear hysterical voices, threatening that the humankind will exhaust all the natural resources of our Earth in 10, 20, 100 years (the exact figure varies according to the level of anxiety of every particular doomsayer). But how much credit should we pay to such predictions? The history itself suggests…
Robert Heinlein, Moon is a Harsh Mistress
Moon is a Harsh Mistress is rightfully considered to be one of the classical examples of science fiction libertarian prose; even to an extent of being awarded a corresponding award and lending a motto TANSTAAFL (There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch) to the Libertarian Party of the USA.
Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Good Omens
The movie Omen or at least one of its numerous sequels is known, at least as hearsay, to everyone. A little boy who is the son of Satan is born into a family of a powerful American ambassador which leads to all kinds of supernatural happenings with generally bad ending. Two well-known authors, Pratchett and…
Critical Essay on Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams is best known for his cycle The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in five books; the rest of his works are much less famous, and for no good reason. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency first introduces Dirk Gently – a shabby-looking detective working according to the principle of interconnectedness of all things in…
Should Teenage Pregnancy be the Responsibility of Society?
Today more often than not we can hear the opinion that the society should take care and responsibility for that; that certain evils cannot be considered personal problems, but only can be solved by human community in general. One of such popular problems is teenage pregnancy.
Law Enforcement Cameras – Necessity or Dystopian Nightmare?
Today we can hear more and more often that the methods of law enforcement should move on together with time and apply new technologies in everyday use. One of the most obvious examples of such methods is placement of cameras in the streets, in public buildings, in apartment houses and so on, so that the…
Is Animal Testing Immoral?
We live in the age when people are very concerned with morality and ethics in relations between people, between people and nature, and between people and animals. Some people refuse to eat meat or drink milk because it means cruelty and exploitation of animals; some people demand all the livestock to be immediately set free…
Do People Become Slaves of Their Computers?
Today more often than in any other epoch we can hear exclamations like “Science is evil!”, “We should return to nature!”, “We are too dependent on machines and computers in particular!” Yet, however, these statements are by no means new. Luddites of various kinds existed in all times, and I can clearly imagine a picture…
Can Stricter Gun Control Be Effective in Saving Lives?
People stating that strict gun control may lead to saving millions of lives seem to be under the false assumption that most deaths in the country are caused by deranged teenagers who start shooting in their schools or overly nervous people legally owning firearms and incapable of controlling themselves. They state that if the laws…