From: Smigrodzki, Rafal (SmigrodzkiR@msx.upmc.edu)
Date: Wed Mar 20 2002 - 17:12:05 MST
Lee Daniel Crocker [mailto:lee@piclab.com] wrote:
I think the Extropian priciples recognize that such behavior is
irrational, and that it should therefore be disapproved of; but
that it is not in itself sufficient justification for using force
to override individual choice. I would classify discrimination as
a sin along the lines of using astrology: you should know better,
but I'm not going to stop you.
### Generally I would agree with you but I don't think that a razor-sharp
distinction can be made between private and state discrimination - if 90% of
all businessess spontaneously and out of pure spite put "Niggers out" signs
in their windows, the effect is just as devastating as state sponsored
discrimination. As I am fond of saying, size matters in the economy, not the
label.
While I dislike using coercive state interference to enforce
non-discrimination (which can lead to a quagmire of political manoeuvering
and PC-paranoia), I would support intervention whenever a significant,
deleterious effect on the survival of a discriminated group can be shown. If
the majority of physicians refuse to treat blacks, despite the same
potential for reimbursement for the same amount of work, then taxing them
for turning down black patients, and using the money to pay more to those
who accept patients equally, would be an option.
Whenever there is a conflict between the survival of innocent humans, and
anything else, even libertarian rules, survival wins hands down with me.
Rafal
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