In recent posts, I’ve been exploring a (loosely) Libertarian line of thought. While I don’t think standard Libertarian accounts adequately ground their positions, I do believe that there are important insights to be gleaned from the tradition. I’ve sketched out the foundation for a reformed version--which David has helpfully coined “Teleological Libertarianism.” (I should acknowledge … Continue reading Libertarianism and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Part One)
Tag: libertarianism
Liberty and Equality
“Between liberty and equality, there can be but little fraternity.” (Montesquieu, correspondence with Voltaire)* I’d like to follow up on our previous discussion of Libertarianism, as a way of getting clearer on the position I was tentatively putting forward there. Well, it’s still somewhat tentative, but I’ll go for it. Let’s start with some common … Continue reading Liberty and Equality
Liberalism and Libertarianism – Some Contrasts and Why They Matter
vs. I've recently written a few posts (about the dangers libertarianism poses for social justice, how those dangers might make us re-imagine our opposition to the war on drugs, and lastly how the recent Arizona conscience-clause-ish debate about serving gay patrons might show us those those dangers as well). I've met with a running string … Continue reading Liberalism and Libertarianism – Some Contrasts and Why They Matter
Arizona, Gay Rights, and the Unhappy Marriage of Libertarianism and Conservatism (or, why saying “I’m a libertarian” doesn’t give you a free pass)
Libertarianism, just as much as "social conservativism" poses a danger for minority rights of all kinds. If you support the cause of gay marriage, anti-Jim Crow civil rights, etc., you should not be a libertarian. If you think homophobic laws are wrong, you should also think economically unequal social arrangements are just as bad. I'll … Continue reading Arizona, Gay Rights, and the Unhappy Marriage of Libertarianism and Conservatism (or, why saying “I’m a libertarian” doesn’t give you a free pass)
On Nozick, On Williams
Bernard Williams and Robert Nozick are two philosophers I really enjoy reading. Seeing one directly address the other in print is strangely amusing, like finding out that two good friends you had met at different places and times in your life actually know each other (I had assumed, I suppose, that although Williams and Nozick … Continue reading On Nozick, On Williams
Why Libertarianism is Dangerous
Over the past week or so, I've had a running good-natured argument on facebook about drug legalization - a friend has been arguing that (among other things) marijuana use shouldn't be restricted by the government, because it's an individual's right to use it if they want. I've been arguing that "individual rights" isn't the best … Continue reading Why Libertarianism is Dangerous
Original Positions 