Deontological libertarianism
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Deontological libertarianism (also known as rights-theorist libertarianism, natural rights libertarianism, or libertarian moralism[1]) refers to the view that all acts of initiation of force and fraud should be opposed because they are always immoral regardless of the effects of engaging in them. This is one of the two ethical view points within libertarianism, the other being consequentialist libertarianism, which holds that liberty should be supported and maximized because it leads to good consequences regardless of whether doing so involves initiation of force.[2][3]
Deontological libertarianism is based on the non-aggression principle, which states that no human being holds the right to initiate force or fraud against the person or property of another human being, under any circumstances. Deontological libertarians consider this principle to be the basis of all morality, and therefore they believe that any violation of the principle is immoral, no matter what other arguments may be invoked to justify that violation.
Many philosophers proclaiming this theory advocate a minimal government to protect individuals from any violation of their rights, and to prosecute those who initiate force against others. However, some others, such as Murray Rothbard advocate the abolition of the state, as they see the state as being an institutionalized initiation of force due to taxation. Their view of natural rights is derived, directly or indirectly, from the writings of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. They therefore become anarchists or anarcho-capitalists.[1]
Some libertarians argue that a relaxation of the non-aggression principle can bring the greatest liberty to the greatest number. Rothbard answered this criticism by asserting that the means shouldn't contradict the ends.[4]
Consequentialist libertarians ask "what force endowed me, and every other human being alive, with self-ownership? How does one prove or substantiate its existence?" Murray Rothbard answered this criticism by the process of elimination, claiming that 100% self-ownership is the only logical position.[4] Other deontological libertarians claim that self-ownership is inherent to human physiology.
Libertarians such as Jonathan Wolf advocate a hybrid that combines consequentialism and deontology.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Bradford. R. W. "The Two Libertarianisms," Liberty Magazine, 1988.
- ^ a b Wolff, Jonathan. Libertarianism, Utility, and Economic Competition. http://www.virginialawreview.org/content/pdfs/92/1605.pdf.
- ^ Zwolinski, Matt, "Libertarianism", Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, http://www.iep.utm.edu/l/libertar.htm, retrieved on 2008-08-23
- ^ a b Murray Rothbard 1982. The Ethics of Liberty. Humanities Press.
