“So your presumption is, in essence, that individuals are too stupid or selfish to do the right thing, so we need some form of “benevolent” collective that, in addition to providing societal services, also rigorously polices behavior”
Yes. Exactly right
“The catch to the collective is that it is really just a bunch of individuals put together, so it follows that they will also be too stupid and selfish to do the right thing. ”
No, with a group of people and checks and balances hope is the stupidy will “even out”
“My presumption is that most individuals try to do what is best for themselves and for others. There is a minority who are anti-social or malevolent, and some who may be ignorant of the effect of an action on others”
Hasn’t been my experience. Maybe you hang out with better people
. That’s why we need some government regulations and enforcement”
Great! So you agree with me.
sure we can quibble on HOW MUCH regulation.
Though doesnt this undermine your problem with my approach. If most people “try to do what is best for themselves and for others” then how did we we get ham handed Covid policies that treated citizens as if they were the problem, not the virus?
People want whats best unless theyre int eh government? seems odd, and even if true ok then lets get a new government
My guess is that you will try to say we agree because we both support regulations in some instances, but that is not the case. Intent is important.”
You guessed correctly, . and sure intent matters