In several previous posts I mentioned my libertarian leanings, and in one particular post I called my self "a centre-leaning, non-objectivist, mostly classical libertarian". I think that that requires some clarification.

Not long after self-proclaiming myself libertarian on philosophical grounds, I made the observation that many libertarians are socially unpleasant. Now I too may have been equally socially unpleasant and interpersonally disagreeable. I can't say for certain, but I don't think I was—and quite honestly, I hope I wasn't. In terms of the Big 5 model of personality, libertarians as a group seem to rate low (very low) on the agreeableness factor. As a result, I shunned discourse with other libertarians, and, although tempted to attend and participate, avoided libertarian political gatherings and events.

As the years passed, I remained bothered by this friction between the philosophical desirability of libertarianism, and the self-centered repulsiveness of libertarians themselves. But not too bothered. After all, I was a centre-leaning, non-objectivist, mostly classical libertarian. And surly such people must be both philosophically and personally agreeable.

The classical part derives from my visceral distrust and dislike of authority. I never believed something just because somebody said so. Rules were arbitrary unless justified. And I observed time and again how power tends to corrupt. So the evidence before me said that freedom from (qua liberty) is more valuable than the authoritarianism it contrasts with.

The non-objectivist part derives from my undergraduate days when I encountered a number of Randian objectivists who worshiped at the alter of selfishness-as-the-greatest-good and carried around copies of Atlas Shrugged with them as their veritable holy book. I cannot begin to explain the loathing I came to hold some of them in and their idiot-ology. (Although truth be told, I did become extremely good and long-lasting friends with one or two of them.) One day I will write about all that is wrong and unsavory in objectivism. For now, just understand that my libertarianism has nothing to do with theirs.

The centre-leaning part comes from the Nolan Chart/ diamond quiz. My results revealed that I was pro-economic freedom like conservatives, but pro-personal freedom like liberals. In terms of the political left-right dichotomy I was firmly in the centre.

Now I read research suggesting that people who are politically liberal tend to rate higher in the personality factor openness to experience, and people who are politically conservative tend to rate higher in neuroticism. So perhaps it not surprising after all that people who rate low on agreeableness gravitate towards libertarianism.

However, that is not the end of the story. I have been watching the buffoonish antics of the American Tea Baggers with a mixture of mocking mirth and shocked dismay. They are simultaneously funny-laughable and funny-disturbing. But on the whole, more disturbing than laughable. To see libertarians among the Tea Baggers, and to observe them supporting platforms of hatred, ignorance, selfishness, and mediaeval viciousness, well it makes me want to reassess my political philosophy.

But then, I remind myself that I am a centre-leaning, non-objectivist, mostly classical libertarian, and I feel alright.

But fruit flies like a banana.

Today I had pulusan with lunch, and longan after supper.

And I can hardly believe it has been nigh 3 YEARS since my last blog entry.