Louve00
Posts: 1533
Joined: 2/1/2009
Status: offline
|
I think (and bear in mind, this is the thought process of someone who has read the Gor books, but does not identify as a Gorean, and further is going by your definition of a "looter" vs "a self-made man"). I think, according to your definition, if I understand it right, a looter is thinking of mankind only in ways to benefit himself. And he uses entitlements in the name of mankind as an excuse to justify whatever it is he is seeking entitlement for. If he is for entitlements for all men, then he is one who is wishing to be run under a government who would provide and protect, provided you live under the governments rule. That would be if they are seeking unearned entitlements. Then you are seeking to get them from someone who has the entitlement to give, and thinking of the US's system, you get your entitlements from the government. The mere basis of this philosophy suggests that if he is unable to think for himself, then he has no choice but to let others (a government) lead him, and not only lead him, but be happy being led in that manner, without say.
I think a self-made man would fall more under examples like Bono, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs...and men who have not only contributed, but through his thought, brought betterment to a society, despite and regardless of government. On a smaller scale, a business man, who may not bring thought to benefit the world or all mankind, but at least bring him the results of self-sufficiency and personal betterment, without reliance on anyone.
(Now, being I have read the Gor books, and do not associate as a Gorean, this is where I might start making you think I'm nuts lol). I think owned kajira are looters. They seek their entitlements (food, shelter, structure) from their owner. Making them not have to think about their actions as much as just follow what they are told. I think an unowned kajira is a weak self-made person....maybe. But she would be made to think for herself. Whether that thought is strong enough to establish a way of life for her that would make her want to continue to go on that way, or whether she just hangs on, waiting and hoping for someone to come along and own her and put an applied structure back in her life (vs her own survival structuralism) would be up to her, ultimately.
I think everyone...looter or self-made man....determines which category he thrives in and which category he "needs" to live his life in. Just as today's submissive or self-determined slave decides that this is what they need to be, and that a dominant man decides its his way or the high way. (Or a dominant woman, for that matter).
Bottom line is though, there is very little "stretching room" for a self-made man...as he has rules and regulations and laws to abide by that could hinder, obstruct, or just make him cuss everytime he has to abide by them. Thats not to say it can't be done. I would venture to say Bono, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs does not think much about government hindering them...other than them having to pay their taxes...and there too, they make so much money from their self independence, its probably no more than an annoyance to him (if that) and not a hardship. So on thinking of it again, maybe a self-made man has all the stretching room he needs to accomplish his life in his own way.
I will leave your assessments of likeness and kinship to Goreans for the Goreans to answer, but I hope I contributed something that made sense and was of value to you, Ishtarr. 
< Message edited by Louve00 -- 8/25/2011 3:21:50 PM >
_____________________________
For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are. - Niccolo Machiavelli
|
Atlas Shrugged - 
Profile
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread