Social Justice, Libertarianism

Sumner, Social Darwinism, and Social Justice

My series on William Graham Sumner at Libertarianism.org is now complete. I blogged here about the first two posts a couple of weeks ago. The last two posts went up last Monday and today.

Post #3 is mostly expository in nature, and discusses Sumner’s most famous essay – “The Forgotten Man.” I hope, if nothing else, that it entices a few of you who haven’t already done so to read the original, which is terrific.

Post #4 wraps up the series by critically examining Sumner’s views on charity and social justice. Those of you who still think of Sumner as a “social Darwinist” might find a surprise or two in there, including his endorsement of a positive duty to rescue and his call to rectify the social injustices that oppress the “weak” and “humble.”

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Author: Matt Zwolinski
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