LIBERTARIAN PHILOSOPHY VERSUS PROPERTARIAN DOGMA: A FURTHER REPLY TO BLOCK

J. C. Lester

Abstract


This replies to Block 2019 (B19), which responds to Lester 2014 (L14). The main issues in the, varyingly sized, sections are as follows. 1 Further explanations of critical rationalism, the theory of liberty, and problems with the non-aggression principle. 2.1 The relationships among law, morality, and libertarianism. 2.2 The objective invasiveness of low-level radiation and that it is therefore a proactive imposition (albeit trivial) if someone inflicts it on non-consenting people. 2.3 The objective and subjective aspects of proactive impositions; and how clashes can be resolved. 2.4 How liberty relates to risk and self-ownership. 2.5 Libertarian initial acquisition versus absolute property rights by labour-mixing. 2.6 Organisational note. 2.7 Libertarianism and mens rea. 2.8 Libertarian rectification versus lex-talionis doubling. 2.9 Indirectly clashing rights, self-preservation, trespasser-hiker, flagpole-grasper, and landmine-layer. 2.10 A logical point is not a moral point. 2.11 Pacifism and libertarianism. 3.1 A weak criticism of utilitarianism. 3.2 Hedonometers; approximate interpersonal comparisons of utility imply libertarianism; what a libertarian is; libertarian rankings. 4. Libertarian philosophy versus propertarian dogma. Coda: the need to take seriously the philosophical problems with propertarian-justificationist libertarianism. Readers that might be interested include those engaging in libertarian philosophy and those using the Rothbardian/Blockian theoretical approach to libertarianism.


Keywords


libertarianism; philosophy; private property; rights; crime; law; critical rationalism

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References


Block, W. E. (2011). “David Friedman and Libertarianism: A Critique”, Libertarian Papers, 3: 35, 1-33.

Block, W. E. (2019). “Response to J. C. Lester on David Friedman on Libertarian Theory”, MEST Journal, 7: 1, 127-155.

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Lester, J. C. (2014). “A Critical Commentary on Block 2011: ‘David Friedman and Libertarianism: a Critique’ and a Comparison with Lester [2000] 2012’s Responses to Friedman”, Explaining Libertarianism: Some Philosophical Arguments, Buckingham: The University of Buckingham Press, chap. 8.

Lester, J. C. (2019). “The Heterodox ‘Fourth Paradigm’ of Libertarianism: an Abstract Eleutherology plus Critical Rationalism”, Journal of Libertarian Studies, Vol. 23: 91–116.

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