Al-Q Honcho Hit

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Miles:
> I know JKS is a big fan of the rule of law, and I
> agree, there are good things about it.  But I still
> think it's important to keep in mind that the human
> species thrived quite successfully for tens of
> thousands of years (or more, depending on how you
> define "humans") without anything like the rule of
> law.  

Do you mean there were no institutionalized (even if unwritten) rules of
social interaction in pre-historic societies?  Fercrissake, Miles, your
view of humanity is wrose than that of animals?  Ever heard of the
pecking order? 

A related point - I think that jks' interpretation of my argument as
that I supposedly see human nature as "independent variable" (by which I
presume jks meant a factor that has an autonomous existence) is a bit
harsh.  I am pretty much against individualism, I believe that the
individual is a creation of social conditions.  What I meant by "natural
state" was simply a heuristic device to denote human interaction without
institutionalized rules of behavior - which can easily escalete into war
of all against all.  But it is, of course, possible that institutional
rules of behavior may encourage violence against certain individuals.

Wojtek