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How to Understand a Libertarian: The Simple State
When people talk about political politics in the realm of philosophy, the term libertarianism comes up quite often. During one of these talks or debates one must know exactly what type of liberationist they are speaking of. The most influential classic liberationist philosopher in recent history would be Robert Nozick. In Dr. Nozicks’ book Anarchy, State, and Utopia, he describes what would be the best form of a fair and complete society. Through the points of natural rights, minimal state and the unjust actions of wealth distribution, he draws out the reasoning of how a classic liberationist is the plan for an honest community.
Robert Nozick makes a statement in the very first sentence of his book Anarchy, State, and Utopia, “Individuals have rights, and there are things no person or group may do to them (without violating their rights) (Nozick ix).” He makes a foundationalism stand point on his beliefs of what are labeled Nature Rights. These moral rights are called natural rights because the precede everything from government to society and are rights that we are born with. All individuals hold these natural rights. The major natural rights are usually listed as just three but according to 1600s philosopher John Locke there are a few more,” The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions… (and) when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind, and may not, unless it be to do justice on an offender, take away, or impair the life, or what tends to the preservation of the life, the