Adopting the 3L Philosophy does not necessarily lead to perfect outcomes
We do not claim the Legal Principle is perfection
- No legal rule resolves every single factual circumstance with a perfect outcome. The question is not whether the outcome is perfect but whether it is better than the alternatives.
- Utopias cannot be achieved, in part, because they do not overcome the presence of bad actors. More generally, uptopian visions are, by definition, unrealistic.
- 3L’s works towards a vision is peace, not a vision of utopia. Live and Let Live does not promise to safeguard against heartbreak, disappointment, irresponsibility, mistakes, or buyer’s remorse.
Grey Areas
- It is unavoidable that reasonable people will disagree on how to interpret the Legal Principle on topics for which there is no objectively right answer. The 3L Philosophy accounts for this by allowing localalised decision-making among all reasonable options. A reasonable application of the Legal Principle is Live and Let Live’s aim. Live and Let Live is not concerned with any one person’s preferred interpretation outside of what is reasonable.
Access to the commons
- Respecting private property rights gives the owner exclusive control over that property, allowing access only to those invited.
- This does not prevent people from permitting access, or even donating that property to charities for public use. The UK’s National Trust comprises vast areas of land, most of which was donated by private owners. The Aspirational Values are a key addition to respecting property rights, allowing maximum peace and prosperity for all.
- Without ownership via private property, there is no steward whose incentives are fully aligned with the care of that property. The ‘tragedy of the commons’ is a well-understood phenomenon where the lack of a private steward leads to over-exploitation of the resources.
Peaceful solutions require imagination
- The peaceful solution to a problem may not be immediately easy to envision.
- Intelligent and moral people have been finding creative ways to solve important problems for centuries. We should aim high, fall short, and do well!
Does not right the wrongs of history
- The 3L Philosophy does not punish anyone for the actions of their ancestors; instead, it holds each of us accountable for our own actions.
- Many throughout history acquired their wealth via involuntary means. Where there is insufficient evidence to bring justice and restore that property to its rightful owner, there is no peaceful means of redress. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Immorality is allowed
- This is the price of freedom. If we initiate nonconsensual force against someone for ugly speech, selfishness, or unkindness, are we really morally superior to them?
- We can and should exercise our power of persuasion by using social consequences to encourage morally excellent behaviour.
Nothing lasts forever
All mountains eventually turn to dust. The 3L Movement will not last forever, either because a better system is developed, or because it becomes corrupted by unreasonable interpretations of the Legal Principle, or both.
- America’s Founding Fathers created a system that led to the most prosperous and free nation on Earth (albeit far from perfect). Still, time proved fatal to their vision of freedom - the USA grew into a bureaucratic empire replete with unjust laws. A deep and widespread understanding of the 3L Philosophy is the best defense against repeating the mistakes of history.
The question is not whether the 3L Philosophy is perfect, but whether it is the best foundation for peace among the world’s diverse peoples. We remain open to better ideas. Until then, we’re all in!