Delphic Optimalism

Above the entrance to the temple to Apollo of the Oracle at Delphi, three phrases were inscribed:

  • γνωθι σεαυτόν (gnōthi seautón = "know thyself") 
  • μηδέν άγαν (mēdén ágan = "nothing in excess"), and 
  • Εγγύα πάρα δ'ατη (engýa pára d'atē = "make a pledge and mischief is nigh").

These three instructions, it seems to me, captures the essence of my moral and political philosophy.

Knowledge, particularly self-knowledge, is the principal value, and coming to knowledge by one's own effort is important to acquiring its value.

Moderation is a paramount virtue; extremism is a moral danger, from which the simplicity of Occam's Razor provides protection.

Ideology is often a cover for ignoring justice; what is True is more important than what is Desired.

These are the principles on which I would want a Third Party to be based on. I believe - but am open to being persuaded otherwise - that the majority of moderate Independents and Progressives could coalesce around these principles to achieve optimal public policy that best balances individual freedoms with collective welfare.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Ultimately, I believe that government is necessary. Those who believe that government is THE problem, that government is some great clumsy beast that exists solely to separate individuals from their hard-won success, are either ignorant or slightly unhinged, and wrong in either case. As our founders saw, government is an opportunity & necessity for the improvement of mankind and humanity's long-term success. Slowly, but surely I hope to persuade others to join with me to try figure out how to best do so.