The Ethics of Libertarianism ft. Guy Swann [SFP062]

2023-10-09

When I first discovered Bitcoin, I understood it only as a technology. What I didn’t realize was that it would also take me deep into questions of economics, power, and morality. In this episode, I sit down with Guy Swann, someone whose work has been hugely influential in my own journey of understanding. Through Bitcoin Audible and his countless hours of study, Guy has become one of the clearest voices linking Bitcoin to Austrian economics, libertarian philosophy, and the broader struggle for human freedom. Our conversation b...

Our conversation begins with the story of how Guy stumbled into Bitcoin in the early days — the excitement, the crashes, and the sleepless nights of obsession. But it quickly evolves into something bigger: questions about government, governance, and whether society can function without a monopoly on violence.

What is the true foundation of rights? Can charity and community thrive without compulsion? Does Bitcoin fundamentally alter the economics of violence by making “exit” possible in ways never before imagined?

For me, this was more than just a Bitcoin discussion. It was a chance to explore the moral edge cases, the messy gray areas, and the deep philosophical ground on which so much of our society rests.

Chapters:

(00:01:04) - Introduction to Guy Swann and Bitcoin Audible

(00:04:05) - Guy’s background and first steps into Bitcoin

(00:09:23) - Early discovery of Austrian economics and libertarian thought

(00:12:12) - Surviving the 2011 crash and lessons learned

(00:20:38) - Bitcoin as proof of Austrian economics

(00:25:48) - Why money is essential for cooperation and society

(00:32:10) - Bitcoin, government, and the end of monetary cheating

(00:35:26) - The Wild West, governance, and myths of anarchy

(00:45:25) - Scale, community, and voluntary governance

(01:05:57) - Do we have a right to water, healthcare, or necessities?

(01:28:01) - Charity, inequality, and the limits of government welfare

(01:53:21) - Intellectual property, patents, and voluntary contracts

(02:11:01) - The principle at the root: means, ends, and violence

(02:21:52) - Closing thoughts and where to find Guy Swann

**Guest**
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGuySwann
Bitcoin Audible: https://pod.link/1359544516

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