intelligence + knowledge + experience prevents acceptance of liberalism/leftism

 Intelligence + knowledge + experience necessarily prevents acceptance of liberalism/leftism

Why is it that when one is extremely smart, and one knows the philosophy of reason and reality, knows the principles of economic theory, knows psychology and history, and has enough life experience to know that big government is evil and should not be worshipped, why can such a person never be a liberal or a leftist?

A person who possesses knowledge of reason and reality, rational economic principles, psychology, and history, and has the life experience to understand the negative aspects of big government, cannot align themselves with liberal or leftist ideologies for several reasons.

Firstly, liberal and leftist ideologies often rest on the primacy of consciousness over existence, promoting a form of idealism that attempts to reshape reality according to subjective wishes, rather than accepting the metaphysically given. This is fundamentally opposed to the Objectivist principle that existence has primacy over consciousness. Reality cannot be rewritten to fit ideological desires [4].

Secondly, rational economic theory, as expounded by George Reisman in "Capitalism," demonstrates that free markets and capitalism are the only systems that respect individual rights, promote rational self-interest, and lead to wealth creation and human flourishing. In contrast, leftist ideologies like socialism, Marxism, and even modern liberalism advocate for varying degrees of state control, interventionism, and redistribution of wealth, egalitarianism, and social engineering, which inherently violate individual rights and stifle economic productivity and innovation [5][6].

Thirdly, psychology and history teach us about the nature of human motivation and the consequences of different political systems. History is replete with examples of the failures of big government and collectivist ideologies—whether in the form of Soviet communism, Nazi fascism, or contemporary socialist regimes. These systems invariably lead to tyranny, poverty, and the suppression of individual freedom and initiative. A rational individual, informed by history and psychology, would recognize the inherent dangers of big government and the moral bankruptcy of any ideology that demands the sacrifice of the individual to the collective [2][3].

Moreover, the essence of leftist ideologies often involves altruism and collectivism, which demand that individuals serve the needs of others or the state. This is in stark contrast to the principle of rational self-interest and individualism that Ayn Rand champions, where each person is an end in themselves and has the moral right to pursue their own happiness without coercion [1][6].

In conclusion, a person grounded in reason, reality, and rational principles cannot align with liberal or leftist ideologies because these ideologies are fundamentally at odds with the objective reality, individual rights, and the ethical pursuit of one's own rational self-interest. They demand the sacrifice of the individual to the collective, which is antithetical to the principles of Objectivism.

Sources:

1 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

2 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand expanded 2nd edition edited by Harry Binswanger and Leonard Peikoff containing never-before published philosophical material by Ayn rand

3 Ominous Parallels by Leonard Peikoff

4 For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand

5 Ayn Rand Lexicon by Harry Binswanger

6 The Objectivist by Ayn Rand

Furthermore:

Primacy of Existence Over Consciousness:

Objectivism, the philosophy founded by Ayn Rand, holds that reality exists independently of our consciousness. Liberal and leftist ideologies often attempt to reshape reality according to subjective desires and collective ideals, which contradicts the principle that existence has primacy over consciousness. Such attempts to evade the metaphysically given lead to policies and ideologies that are unsustainable and detached from reality [4].

Rational Economic Theory:

Rational economic theory  demonstrates that free markets and capitalism are the only systems that respect individual rights and promote human flourishing. Capitalism is based on voluntary trade and the recognition of individual property rights. In contrast, leftist ideologies advocate for state intervention, wealth redistribution, and regulation, which undermine property rights, individual freedom, and economic efficiency. These ideologies fail to recognize that wealth creation comes from production and trade, not from government redistribution [5][6].

Historical Evidence:

History provides ample evidence of the failures of collectivist and statist systems. From the Soviet Union's collapse to the economic ruin of Venezuela, the historical record shows that big government and collectivist policies lead to tyranny, economic stagnation, and human suffering. Individuals knowledgeable about history understand that these systems inevitably fail because they violate the principles of individual rights and economic freedom [2][3].

Psychological Understanding:

Psychology teaches us about human motivation and the importance of personal responsibility and autonomy. Leftist ideologies often promote dependency on the state and the sacrifice of individual ambitions for the so-called "greater good." This not only demoralizes individuals but also stifles creativity and productivity. Rational individuals recognize the importance of self-esteem and the moral right to pursue one's own happiness, which is incompatible with collectivist demands [1][6].

Moral Philosophy:

At the core of Objectivism is the belief that individuals have the moral right to pursue their own rational self-interest. This is fundamentally opposed to the altruistic demands of leftist ideologies, which prioritize the needs of the collective over the rights of the individual. Objectivism asserts that each person is an end in themselves and should not be used as a means to the ends of others. This moral stance is incompatible with the collectivist ethics that underpin liberal and leftist ideologies [1][6].

Political Philosophy:

Limited government is a cornerstone of Objectivist political philosophy. The government's role is to protect individual rights, not to control or manage the economy or the lives of individuals. Leftist ideologies, on the other hand, advocate for extensive government intervention in all aspects of life, which inevitably leads to the erosion of individual freedoms and the rise of an authoritarian state. Rational individuals understand that the protection of individual rights is paramount and that statism is inherently destructive [4].

In summary, a person who is well-versed in reason, reality, rational economic theory, psychology, and history, and who understands the negative aspects of big government, cannot align with liberal or leftist ideologies because these ideologies are fundamentally at odds with the principles of Objectivism. They deny the primacy of existence, undermine individual rights, ignore historical lessons, and promote a moral code that sacrifices the individual to the collective. Such a person would naturally advocate for capitalism, individualism, and limited government as the only moral and practical foundations for a free and prosperous society.

Sources:

1 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

2 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand expanded 2nd edition edited by Harry Binswanger and Leonard Peikoff containing never-before published philosophical material by Ayn rand

3 Ominous Parallels by Leonard Peikoff

4 The Objectivist by Ayn Rand

5 For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand

6 Ayn Rand Lexicon by Harry Binswanger

In addition:

When a person is extremely knowledgeable in philosophy, rational economic theory, psychology, and history, and they have enough life experience to understand that big government is evil and should not be worshipped, they are likely to recognize the fundamental principles of individual liberty and free markets. Laissez-faire capitalism emphasizes minimal government intervention, allowing individuals to act in their self-interest within a framework of voluntary exchange. This aligns with the philosophy of reason and reality, which values objective reality and rational self-interest.

Liberal or leftist ideologies often advocate for greater government control and intervention in economic and social affairs, which can lead to inefficiencies, reduced individual freedoms, and a misallocation of resources. A person who understands rational economic theory will see that free markets are more efficient at allocating resources than central planning and bureaucratic management. They will also recognize that the incentives created by free markets drive innovation and economic growth, which ultimately benefit society as a whole.

Moreover, history has shown that large, centralized governments tend to become corrupt and oppressive, leading to negative consequences for individual freedom and prosperity. This understanding from historical examples reinforces the belief that big government is harmful. Therefore, someone with this extensive knowledge and life experience is likely to support policies that promote individual liberty and free markets, making it difficult for them to align with liberal or leftist ideologies that oppose these principles [1][3][6].

Sources:

1 Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market, Scholar's Edition, by Murray Rothbard

2 Capitalism by George Reisman

3 Human Action, Third Revised Edition by Ludwig Von Mises

4 The Birth of Plenty by William J. Bernstein

5 Economic Thought Before Adam Smith by Murry Rothbard

6 Marxism/socialism, a sociopathic philosophy, conceived in gross error and ignorance, culminating in economic chaos, enslavement, terror, and mass murder by George Reisman

Furthermore:

Individuals who possess extensive knowledge in philosophy, rational economic theory, psychology, and history, and who have enough life experience to recognize the detrimental effects of big government, often find it challenging to align with liberal or leftist ideologies for several reasons.

Firstly, rational economic theory emphasizes the importance of free markets and minimal government intervention. Free markets are seen as the most efficient way to allocate resources, driven by the forces of supply and demand. The inherent competition in free markets fosters innovation and economic growth, benefiting society at large. In contrast, liberal and leftist ideologies often support increased government intervention and regulation, which can lead to inefficiencies and stifle economic growth [1][3].

Secondly, from a philosophical standpoint, the principles of individual liberty and personal responsibility are paramount in laissez-faire capitalism. This perspective values objective reality and rational self-interest, which are often compromised under large government systems that impose collective goals and redistribute wealth. The imposition of such collective goals can undermine individual freedoms and the ability to act based on one's rational self-interest [1][6].

Moreover, psychological insights reveal that humans are motivated by personal incentives. Free market systems align with this understanding by allowing individuals to reap the benefits of their efforts and innovations. On the other hand, systems that rely heavily on government intervention tend to diminish personal incentives, leading to reduced productivity and motivation [3].

Historical evidence also plays a critical role. History has demonstrated that large, centralized governments tend to become corrupt and oppressive. Examples of such outcomes can be seen in various regimes where increased government control has led to economic decline and loss of personal freedoms. This historical perspective reinforces the belief that big government is harmful and should not be worshipped [6].

In conclusion, the alignment with free market principles and skepticism of big government is a logical outcome for individuals deeply versed in these areas of knowledge. Their understanding of economic efficiency, individual liberty, human motivation, and historical precedents makes it difficult for them to support liberal or leftist ideologies that advocate for larger government roles in society [1][3][6].

Sources:

1 Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market, Scholar's Edition, by Murray Rothbard

2 Capitalism by George Reisman

3 Economic Thought Before Adam Smith by Murry Rothbard

4 The Birth of Plenty by William J. Bernstein

5 Human Action, Third Revised Edition by Ludwig Von Mises

6 A Theory of Socialism and Capitalism by Hans-Hermann Hoppe