"A Rational Life"

A Discussion of the Peculiar Consequences of Individuals Living in Groups

We the People

"The fact that I have no remedy for all the sorrows of the world is no reason for my accepting yours. It simply supports the strong probability that yours is a fake. "
- H.L. Mencken: Minority Report: H.L. Mencken's Notebooks #78 ,1956

I recently retired from a career in engineering, teaching, and dabbling with computers. For the first time in my life I now have the time to ponder some of the social and philosophical issues that have always been of great interest to me but, until now, could not be addressed. I am interested in correspondence with others who have similar interests.

I have posted a few of my essays here and, in some cases, I have provided links to various sites on the Internet where others are located. If you have any difficulty in retrieving these essays not at this site, let me know by email and I will send you a copy by email or ftp.

To see recent changes, additions, etc., go to: So, What's New?

What this Site is About:

Surely you have noticed that there is excessive amount of lunacy in the world today. You are bombarded with "truths" from all directions: religion, politics, academia, the media, etc. The advise is conflicting and confusing. What to make of it all? Even if I could, it would be pointless for me to provide you with yet another set of "truths" -- the word no longer has any meaning. Instead, what I will try to do is provide you with some observations that will confirm that what you are being told is most likely not true and I will make some suggestions on how you might be able to use Common Sense to clarify some of the confusion and why you should. Here are the major topics covered.

Do we live in a Diabolical Universe? The Social Dilemmas
(Prisoner's Dilemma, Tragedy of the Commons, Voter's Paradox, Volunteer's Paradox, Rational Choice, Social Choice, Public Choice, Rent-Seeking, Game Theory, Freeriding)
Other Dilemmas and Paradoxes
(Voting Paradox, Prisoner's Dilemma, Newcomb's Paradox, The Unexpected Execution Paradox, Vagueness and Ambiguity Dilemmas)
Politics or The Art of Manipulating the Masses for Fun and Profit
(Simple Theory of Politics STOP, Helplessness of the Individual, Control by Memes, Government Abuse, The Drug War, Forfeiture Reform, The Necessity of Government, The Tax and Spend Fiasco, Political Realities, Public Choice, Political Philosophy)
Whatever Happened to Common Sense?
(A meme driven society, Equality, Social Behavior, Common Sense, Using Logic, Morality, Love and Sex)
Quotations, Humor, Satire, Etc.
(Quotations, Humor and Wit by Bob Black, P. J. O'Rourke, and H. L. Mencken)
My Hobbies (that I will admit to!)
(Music, Outdoor Recreation, Four-wheeling, Skiing, Travel)

Index of Keywords:

Altruism, Ambiguity, (Social) Behavior, Collective Action, Common Good, Common Sense, Equality, Experimental Results, Ethics, Freeriders, Game Theory, Games and Puzzles, Groups and Individuals, (My) Hobbies, Logic, Memes, Morals, Music, Paradoxes, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, "Prisoners' Dilemma", Public Choice, Public Goods, Quotations, Rationality, Rent-seeking, Satire, Selfishness, Social Choice, Social Dilemmas, Trust, Vagueness, "Voter's Paradox"

Search Function!

After many requests and even some threats, I have added this much needed feature. Try it!

Leon's Political Almanac

Check out my Calendar and "Today in Political History" page, created for your enjoyment and enlightenment. For each day of the year, the almanac lists the major political events that occurred on that day!

Links to Other Useful and/or Interesting Web Sites:

The most comprehensive and substantive site yet for Philosophy resources: Peter King's "This & That".
The Highschool Philosophy Website Project, has a huge list of philosophical resources.
Greg Restall "Research Links", an extensive list of philosophy and logic research links with search capability.
Robert Paul Reyes' essays cover a wide range of modern issues, are interesting, and contribute to the defense of civil liberties. Take a look at his "My Turn" column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and his "My Version of the Truth" home page.
Pat Gunning's Democracy Home Page This site includes a generous and outstanding contribution to the field of Public Choice Theory. Dr. Gunning has placed -- on line -- a complete book on the subject!
FRANZ KIEKEBEN has provided us with a site, "Philosophy and Paradoxes", that is the most extensive listing on those subjects that I know of -- both of which are of great interest to me!
A comprehensive list of links related to Ethics at the Ethical Spectacle
A list of philosophical resources, with some "downhome" contributions of their own, is to be found at Duane & Eva's Old Kentucky Home Page. Of particular interest is Duane's Philosophy Discussion area where you can find an active discussion with considerable input from me and others.
William Markiewicz's informative and creative site, The Vagabond.
Excellent sources of libertarian and rational politics, The Cato Institute and Reason Magazine.
Amazing! A site that will match your interests to resources and individuals on the net:"The Intellectual Matchmaker"