ARISTOTELIANISM AND LIBERTARIANISM

In: Critical review: an interdisciplinary journal of politics and society, Band 11, Heft 3, S. 359-372

Abstract

IN "LIBERTY AND NATURE," RASMUSSEN AND DEN UYL USE AN ARISTOTELIAN CONCEPTION OF THE HUMAN GOOD TO PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR LIBERTARIANISM. THEIR PRINCIPAL ARGUMENT IS THAT INTELLIGENCE AND VIRTUE ARE NECESSARY INGREDIENTS IN EVERY FLOURISHING HUMAN LIFE, BUT SINCE THESE ARE NOT GOODS THAT THE STATE CAN DISTRIBUTE TO INDIVIDUALS, GOVERNMENTS CAN PLAY ONLY A MODEST ROLE IN PROMOTING THE COMMON GOOD. THE STATE BEST PROMOTES THE WELL-BEING OF ITS CITIZENS BY ALLOWING THEM TO PURSUE HAPPINESS IN A MANNER OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING, AND DEFENDING THEM AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD INVADE THEIR MORAL BOUNDARIES.