May 25, 2011
Philosophers on Drugs
Ron Paul’s recent public statements endorsing the legalization of heroin have caught him some flak, and not just from political conservatives. Meanwhile, in university-land, I’ve just wrapped up another semester…
All posts in: Social Justice
May 19, 2011
Kant: Libertarian or Progressive?
This is a post for philosophers; my apologies to readers who have different interests. I want to suggest that, perhaps, libertarians can claim Kant as one of them. I don’t…
May 16, 2011
More on Analogical Slavery
I agree with Matt that describing Obamacare as slavery is a bad analogy. However, I think it is important to insist on using the term “slavery” when it properly applies…
May 06, 2011
Libertarianism and the Just Price?
I’ve been listening to Murray Rothbard’s Economic Thought Before Adam Smith: An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought, vol. 1, available as a free PDF here or as…
May 03, 2011
Philosophy and Politics
Many political philosophers overestimate the importance of abstract principles for the design of institutions. Most issues of the day cannot be resolved by a sole appeal to basic principles. Whether…
April 27, 2011
Needs
Many people think justice requires that the needs–or, perhaps, basic needs–of individuals be met. Some think this requires direct government provision; others think government must merely make it possible for…