Saturday
September 12, 2015 |
 From Selfishness to Rational Self-Interest
by Merlin Jetton
The title means a developmental transition. Something we learn when growing up is the existence of social morality. It consists of rules that require or prohibit action that humans direct to one another to engage in, or refrain from, certain kinds of action. This is only part of morality. There is also what makes a goo... (Read more...)
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An Analysis of Egoism and Altruism
by Merlin Jetton
... (Read more...)
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On Kant's Ethical Theory
by Merlin Jetton
The purpose of this essay is to give a brief overview of Kant's ethics, including some comparisons to Ayn Rand's ethical theory and references she made to Kant. (Read more...)
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On Insider Trading
by Merlin Jetton
I will argue that insider trading is a diminution of property rights for some (most) shareholders. (Read more...)
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The Problem of Induction
by Merlin Jetton
Some comments on the problem of induction. (Read more...)
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The Primary-Secondary Quality Distinction
by Merlin Jetton
Commentary on the primary-secondary quality distinction. (Read more...)
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Subsidy Versus Investment, Part 2
by Merlin Jetton
This is part 2 contrasting subsidy and investment. (Read more...)
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Wednesday
February 18, 2009 |
Subsidy Versus Investment
by Merlin Jetton
Let's start with a firm. It could be a "for profit" or "non-profit" one. The following analysis can apply to either. "Non-profits" have revenues and costs like "for profits." To be sustainable they have to obtain enough revenues to cover their costs. A "for profit" clearly seeks revenues, R, greater than costs,... (Read more...)
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Common Sense
by Merlin Jetton
'Common sense' as used by Aristotle meant something much different than it does today. His usage was pretty scant, but this essay will give his basic meaning. (Read more...)
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Social Security - What a Deal!
by Merlin Jetton
The article gives a financial analysis of Social Security as it applies to me. It also remarks on the personal retirement accounts proposed a few years ago and Chile's reform of its Social Security - like system. (Read more...)
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The Audacity of Profit
by Merlin Jetton
I recently read an article from the American Medical Association, which is here. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/368/compstudy_52006.pdf. It is an assessment of competition in health insurance. Pages 1 and 2 are a relentless finger-pointing at large market shares and mergers and acquisitions in health insur... (Read more...)
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Clinton-Obama Debate and Health Care Costs
by Merlin Jetton
Will health care costs keep on rising? You can bet on it. Are the campaign promises about lowering health care costs flimflam? Of course. (Read more...)
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Mind and Representation
by Merlin Jetton
Is the mind representational? Yes and no; it depends on what is meant. Some people claim that perception is representational without defining or clarifying what a “representation” is. So that will be my first task. An act of representation requires three components: 1. The referent that is represented. 2.... (Read more...)
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Scope of Volition
by Merlin Jetton
This article is about different aspects of volition. (Read more...)
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Locke on Essence
by Merlin Jetton
John Locke's views on essence have much in common with those of Ayn Rand. (Read more...)
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Thursday
November 24, 2005 |
The Corruption of Measurement
by Merlin Jetton
Measurement is a hallmark of science, reason and objectivity. It should be defended. It is too important to allow it to be corrupted by subjectivism. (Read more...)
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Wednesday
November 16, 2005 |
Making a Contribution
by Merlin Jetton
By the self-sacrifice, ask-nothing-in-return standard, wealthy producers in business such as Bill Gates only get credit for "making a contribution to society" when they contribute to charity or do something comparable like endowing a university. There is no credit under this standard for providing employment to others or providing customers with useful products. These are only the pursuit of self-interest, which is morally neutral at best. (Read more...)
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 I Didn't Pray Yesterday
by Merlin Jetton
The truth is, I don't pray on any day. But yesterday was a special day to not pray. I went to my uncle's funeral. (Read more...)
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