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A rational anarchist believes that concepts, such as 'state' and 'society' and 'government' have no existence save as physically exemplified in the acts of self-responsible individuals. He believes that it is impossible to shift blame, share blame, distribute blame... as blame, guilt, responsibility are matters taking place inside human beings singly and nowhere else. But being rational, he knows that not all individuals hold his evaluations, so he tries to live perfectly in an imperfect world... aware that his efforts will be less than perfect yet undismayed by self-knowledge of self-failiure.

Robert A. Heinlein#36

PoliticsFreedomResponsibilityAnarchismIndividualIndividualism

About this quote

What does it mean?
Rational anarchists reject abstract state concepts and accept individual responsibility.
In plain terms
Focus on yourself not abstract governments.
What can you take from it?
Accept personal blame and act responsibly in a flawed world.

Where it applies

  • political philosophy
  • personal conduct
  • civic action

Putting it to work

  • Accept ownership of actions
  • Critique abstract labels

Questions to consider

  • Can you be responsible alone?
  • Do states exist as entities?

Another view

Collective action is sometimes needed.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

  1. Democracy can't work. Mathematicians, peasants, and animals, that's all there is - so democracy, a theory based on the assumption that mathematicians and peasa…

    Permalink to quote #35
  2. I will accept the rules that you feel necessary to your freedom. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I f…

    Permalink to quote #37
  3. Logic is a feeble reed, friend. 'Logic' proved that airplanes can't fly and that H-bombs won't work and that stones don't fall out of the sky. Logic is a way o…

    Permalink to quote #34

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