If I had to describe my personal philosophy in two words it would be these: liberal skeptic.

First and foremost, I've always professed a live-and-let-live attitude. Unfortunately, human-kind's reproduction rate is so high compared to its recent mortality rate that this no longer seems appropriate. The actions of one ill-informed, inconsiderate or just plain stupid individual can seriously affect us all -- not to mention what the occasional homicidal maniac can accomplish. And our increasing dependence on technology only makes this more worrisome.

So, if we must dictate one another's behavior, I believe the course we, as a society, are currently on is not a sound one. We are making few gains against elitism, consumerism, racism, sexism, and mysticism to name just a few. I believe this is symptomatic of our inability to overcome such fundamental problems as greed, envy, and ignorance. None of the so-called institutions of our society seem to be making a significant effort to lead us on a new, better, or just plain different path. This includes government, industry, and religion.

I am also highly doubtful that the future will be any better than the past. As a species, Homo sapiens is generally lazy and inefficient. We put increasing burdens on limited natural resources and have only short-sighted solutions to most of our current problems.

Let's assume for a moment that, in the near future, tremendous strides are made in the way we educate children and provide for adults, in our science and technology, in our social and economic equality, and in our stewardship of the earth. I still doubt that we can overcome our rate of population growth. How will we feed, clothe, and shelter the billions yet to come? Why do we not limit our population growth? Why do we assume that it is every person's right, or in some cases, duty, to produce as many offspring as they can -- whether they (or we) can afford it or not? Why have we forgotten the discussions of the 60's and 70's about the carrying capacity of the earth?

I believe we must change in order to overcome these problems. Therefore, by definition, I am a liberal.

Do I have a solution to these problems? No. Do I have a personal philosophy that is a product of these ills? Yes. Question everything. Don't believe the rhetoric, the sales pitch, the sermon. Begin to think critically for yourself. Question people's motives. Don't accept that because someone in authority developed a doctrine, rule, or law, that they did it for the good of the many and not the few. Don't assume because it has always been done this or that way -- it always should be. And most importantly, just because it is written down somewhere, or someone famous believes it, doesn't make it true. Question everything. Apply critical-thinking, logic, whatever you want to call it, to each and every part of your life.

This, of course, makes me a skeptic.