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Thanks for your reply and for linking to further material. Here to learn.

My intuition is that there is greater virtue to be found in the anonymous responsible man than in any historical figure since the filter to make it into historical literature (heroic prowess, so to speak) is often murderous imposition of one’s will on others. History, as it is too often recounted, is the History of States, and of those who have been most and least capable of wielding its power. And I am a Historian myself.

In any case I think we can reconcile admiration for bold, strong, heroic individuals with warranted skepticism and criticism of abuses of power.

Alekandar Svetski 2y ago

Plato:

“The measure of a man is what he does with power”

Therefore by my estimation, it’s not power that is the problem, but like u said at the end, those who abuse it.

“Power corrupts the weak”

I’ll die on this hill.

Also..

Yes - anonymous uses of one’s power for productive, noble causes is of course a beautiful thing.

But both are necessary. And no matter how anon, there will always be a story and myth that develops around great deeds and the great figures who do those deeds.

It’s the ONLY reason why bitcoin is here today. It was a great deed done by a great man/group and we continue to celebrate it.

The story matters more than the thing itself. We are deeply wired to interpret all of reality through a story.

Greatness is simply the highest of stories. And great men inspire the best stories.

Thanks again for the comments.

Enjoying the discussion

I need to come on nostr more often

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LpLiberto 2y ago

I’ll put my thoughts into order at some point, so I can make better sense of what up to this point are more intuitions than firm convictions.

I feel that citing Plato reinforces my point. Let us all obey the philosopher king, for he is most virtuous, most wise and therefore superior to us.

I’m guessing your point is that we should have an aristocracy, understood etymologically; but aristocracies consider themselves the best, regardless of whether they are or not! Being virtuous does not legitimise your use of force against me, poor wretched deject.

And when it comes to power, and since stories are so important, I prefer to live by that in which renouncing and destroying the Ring is more virtuous, since it is impossible to use it, however great you are, without being corrupted. To me, the greater you are the greater risk your corruption poses, since your will extends further.

And please be assured that I’m not allergic to power, virtue or greatness. I just place more sanctity on their limits than on the things themselves, if that makes sense.

Bitcoin allows each of us to be extremely powerful, and forces us to be extremely responsible. I would agree that it is the ultimate aristocratic/meritocratic system, but built into the system are its limits. Your merit does not allow you to interfere with my property or life.

I hope I’m making some amount of sense!

LpLiberto 2y ago

I’m rereading your last comment.

Of course I have no problem with power. What is freedom, ultimately? The legitimate use of power within certain bounds. What is property? Obviously exclusive power over some things, power to direct its energy to one or another end.

The problem I have is power for power’s sake, where it becomes power over others, and therefore a transgression of others’ freedom. For me maximum virtue lies in inhibition of power, in restraining the instinct to exert one’s will where it is legitimate to do so. And that is over one’s body and property and, through voluntary interaction, over other domains.

Hardly the stuff to create myths and appear in History books, but great in its own way.

Alekandar Svetski 2y ago

You’re on the right track for sure.

I think conquest and growth has a part to play, and lines are never clearly drawn.

But yes. Virtue #10 in “Bushido” that ties all the virtues together is “Self control”

The ultimate ability to direct one’s will and power.