August 31, 2011
Civic Virtue without Politics
I’ve read that the archaic Greeks had a narrow view of courage. They thought courage was a virtue that could only be expressed by a man in war. We’ve made…
Author: Jason Brennan
July 06, 2011
Re-Reading Nozick: Two Definitions
I’m moving out of my house this week, so I won’t have as much time to post. But I wanted to post some clarifying definitions in light of some reader…
July 01, 2011
Why State of Nature Theory?
We’re done with the preface of Anarchy, State, and Utopia. On to chapter 1. Nozick asks, “If the state did not exist would it be necessary to invent it? Would…
June 29, 2011
Nozick on Philosophical Explorations: There is Room for Words other than Last Words
Always make sure to read the prefaces and introductions to Nozick’s books. They’re fascinating. Nozick is smarter than you. If you and he had a live debate about something (anything),…
June 28, 2011
Strange Absences in Anarchy, State, and Utopia
I’ll write a more serious post tomorrow. But here’s a little lighthearted fun. Nozick is often interpreted as grounding his main arguments in Anarchy, State, and Utopia on self-ownership. People…
June 27, 2011
Correcting One Big Misreading of Nozick: On The Structure of Anarchy, State, and Utopia
I’m going to blog my way through re-reading Anarchy, State, and Utopia. Sometimes I will defend it; sometimes I will criticize it. Sometimes I’ll cite secondary literature, but usually I won’t. Here’s…