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I see both Rand and Rothbard as having an underlying philosophy congruent with logical positivism. This philosophy asserts the primacy of observation in assessing truth and relies on factual observation and denies any place to spiritual or other metaphysical explanations.... What Kirk means by “metaphysically mad” is that libertarians refuse to consider any question not answerable by direct observation or science; no religion, no prime mover, nothing of a spiritual nature. As such they are “mad” ignoring common human emotions and experience.

This "madness" was identified by the classical Greek philosophers (e.g., Heraclitus, Plato, Aristotle) as a pneumopathological disorder, a disease of the soul. Then again, a logical positivist has no use for "the soul"; as a "metaphysical" entity, they deny its reality in principle.... Whatever is undetectable according to their methods simply doesn't exist for them.

You may enjoy another great book by Russell Kirk: The Roots of American Order. In it, Kirk traces our American heritage back to four historic cities: Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, and London. It's a wonderful read.

Excellent essay, shrinkermd. Thank you so very much!

[ This "madness" was identified by the classical Greek philosophers (e.g., Heraclitus, Plato, Aristotle) as a pneumopathological disorder, a disease of the soul. Then again, a logical positivist has no use for "the soul"; as a "metaphysical" entity, they deny its reality in principle.... ]

The Soul(mind, emotion and will) is part of the spirit and even the Spirit.. Demanding the overt or covert attack against the Holy Spirit.. even the holy spirit.. As the TOE does quite nicely by some of those infected with this "madness"..

Because if "all we are" is flesh(soulish) "the spirit" is a 2nd reality.. When the opposite is true.. A pneumopathological disorder indeed.. a disease of the soul.. This planet is infectious with this disease.. Little wonder we "MUST be born again- Jesus"..

The flesh must be divided from the spirit to even know whom we are.. Jesus ministry was filled with examples(object lessons) of his own journey from others observations of him being flesh(at the beginning) and becoming Spirit.. When it was true all along.. He was a Spirit before he was born, during his ministry, and after his bodies death.. and still is a Spirit today..

An object lesson that "we all" can learn from..
What kind of a spirit are YOU?.. is the pregnant question..
Life on this planet is a "TEST" of what exactly kind of spirit are You..
Not how smart is your human brain.. and how faithful is your flesh..

For the flesh(your flesh) can do nothing without the spirit's approval..
A pneumopathological disorder indeed.. a death sentence..
UNless you are Reborn(born again) as a new creature..
Metaphysical Physics has only one formula.. quite simply really..

Any harder to comprehend and none would survive..