Eleventh Note to “Laila”

Primarily, we are concerned with what is essential or what is necessary for life or what is vital from an economic and social standpoint. We know what is essential and necessary for life and vital from a biological and physiological standpoint. That is not our main concern from an economic and social sciences point of view. And from an economic and social standpoint, it all comes down to basic social order, which of course consists of a monopoly on violence by the state, the preservation of life and property on the part of the state, and the adjudication and resolution of disputes through an independent judiciary. Aside from basic social order, it’s simply a matter of accomplishing individual goals and pursuing individual happiness and the pursuit of the good life. And that can mean different things for different people. Everyone’s brain is wired differently, which means everyone will conceive of their individual goals, happiness, and their view of the good life in different ways. Social order should enable a certain degree and extent of freedom and liberty for the diverse and varied pursuits of goals, happiness, and view of the good life.