Friedrich August von Hayek Quote

"All political theories assume, of course,
that most individuals are very ignorant.
Those who plead for liberty differ from the rest
in that they include among the ignorant
themselves as well as the wisest."

by:	Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992), Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974
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Categories:	Economics, Freedom, Knowledge, Liberty, Politics, Respect, Responsibility, Wisdom, Ignorance
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So, I presume all political theorists are neither ignorant or wise  -- RobertSRQ
I believe the point is that to plead for liberty you must plead the case for all, regardless of the fact that some seem to be too ignorant to put it to good use.  -- warren, olathe      2
I think warren touches on a positive note here. A body politic that is established to represent inalienable rights to/by/from/for/of individual sovereigns does not fit the "All political theories". In the republic of individual sovereigns, the focus is on individual inalienable rights, not the quote's referenced intelligence. Even a democracy that assumes a self justifying morality doesn't quite fit the quote.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Pleading the case for the common man's Liberty. In a child of understanding wisdom is found. Given time, they will put wisdom into words.  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      1
The quote is equally applicable to 'religious theologies' as well as political theories. Admitting one may not 'know' allows for reality to 'be' -- treating theory as 'settled science' attempts to make fixed what is naturally a process of creation and discovery. If we go too far right, the pendulum will swing left, and vice versa. It will never be settled. Take your stand, serve your purpose, and let the cards fall where they may. ;-)  -- E Archer, NYC      1
The socially based position, rejects the shallow world of politics, believes that all can be provided the critical information to preserve our species' survival. Mr Hayek needed to differentiate between political "theory" and social principle.   -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown      1
Sillik, WHAT? ? ? — The socially based position "IS" the shallow world's politics (ANTI — individual sovereignty, inalienable rights and liberty at nature's law as well a peace and prosperity). Preserve our species' survival" ? ? ? Within your religion's dogma and structure — WHO would be providing such critical information? ? ?  Outside your religion's dogmas, can you scientifically demonstrate the specific threats to our specie and the social principles that will preserve our species? ? ?  Your non-sensical / erratic word salad has no place in reality.   -- Mike, Norwalk
Mike, Norwalk, You are looking through the perspective of the psychotic. We are naturally a social animal; kind, decent, fair, principled, and civilized. A self-aware, introspective based social organism with a heart will provide all the information we need.  Demonstration not exactly, I can only explain that our species suffers from an aliening, childish regressive competitive disorder.  We will ultimately have to take the toys and all possibilities of misbehaving away from you and the rest of the kids. A in-depth maturing prescription will have to be applied..   -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown      1

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