The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Many people consider Robert Heinlein the “Grand Master” of Science Fiction. Strangely his two greatest works Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress do not fit the common mold of the genre. Both create a theoretical future to examine two different human questions. While Stranger in a Strange Land examines our deep questions about “who/what is God”; The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a book about the supposed necessity of government in human society. It is a Libertarian manifesto, though Heinlein writes it as an examination of all political philosophies including Democracy, Federation, Republic, Communes (Socialist, Fascist, Marxist and Nationalist) and even a touch of Monarchy to round out the discussion. Rather than approaching this subject as a political philosopher, Heinlein approaches it as a scientist, with computer like logic. His master piece is a must read for any techno-libertarian.

TANSTAAFL The Great One Rule

There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch: with this declaration Robert Heinlein phrased a law of thermodynamics into an techno-libertarian axiomatic mantra: TANSTAAFL!. Heinlein goes on to explain the social and political implications of this law of nature. Heinlein examines the moral and ethical implications of government assuming power over the people using this principle. He suggests that if you are getting something you’re not paying for, you’re stealing it. You may not know how your stealing it, you may not know from whom, but you are stealing it and someone is paying for it. He asserts that is obviously immoral to force a man to pay for something he does not get or want.

What is Intelligence?

An extremely powerful computer is central to the story of this book, however the Heinlein goes further then most “machine comes to life” Science Fiction. He explains in detail exactly how a living machine might think and what it might be capable of. The machine called “Mike” is very fast at computing simple logic and calculating various mathematical problems, but this is not the route to self-awareness. Mike learns to be alive by reading. He reads literally everything; and in so doing learns how to be a personae. I should think that long before Heinlein’s prediction (2075), he will be thought of as downright clairvoyant. He clearly understood the underlying logic of the human mind as well as that of computers.

Human Rights

Heinlein writes much in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress about the proper roles of man, society, and government. He states several principles about man’s fundamental rights including many direct references to Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. In one scene an interim government is attempting to write a constitution. Several of the ideas expressed here recall the U.S. Constitution, and Libertarian Ideals.

Think about it. If a bill is so poor that it cannot command two-thirds of your consents, is it not likely that it would make a poor law? And if a law is disliked by as many as one-third is it not likely that you would be better off without it?

-Prof. Bernardo de la Paz

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is an instructive story that I deeply hope my children and yours will read. I of course hope the same for you, but your children are more important. We and our posterity will likely soon face the day when our technology forces us to rethink the appropriate and necessary role of government.

I for one, think our Constitution is a grand document that is too often ignored. Many seem to think that it is old paper; the labor of old men; and denies the government the power to do what “needs doing”. I say true on all accounts, and for the latter of those reasons I swear to defend it.