 Paperback cover | |
| Author | Murray N. Rothbard |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Liberty |
| Published |
|
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover &Paperback) &e-book, audio-CD |
| Pages | 336 (Online e–book edition) |
| ISBN | 0391023713 (Paperback edition) |
| OCLC | 7813705 |
| 323.44/01 19 | |
| LC Class | JC585 .R69 1982 |
 | This articlemay rely excessively on sourcestoo closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from beingverifiable andneutral. Please helpimprove it by replacing them with more appropriatecitations toreliable, independent sources.(July 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The Ethics of Liberty is a 1982 book by American philosopher and economistMurray N. Rothbard,[1] in which the author expounds alibertarian political position.[2] Rothbard's argument is based on a form ofnatural law ethics,[3] and makes a case foranarcho-capitalism.[4]
The Ethics of Liberty is divided into five parts,[5] although a previous edition lacked the fifth.[4] Part I is an introduction, which explains the outlines of natural law theory in general and defends it briefly against some objections. Part II is the substance of the work itself, setting forth Rothbard's ethics regarding the use of force. Part III applies his ethical theories to the State, which he viewed as "the inherent enemy of liberty and, indeed, of genuine law". Part IV offers brief reviews of alternative political theories developed byMises,Hayek,Berlin, andNozick.[4] Part V attempts to set forth a theory of strategy of how to move from the present system to a libertariananarcho-capitalist society.[5]
Hans-Hermann Hoppe'sIntroduction to the 1998 edition of the book says that it "explains the integration of economics and ethics via the joint concept of property; and based on the concept of property, and in conjunction with a few general empirical (biological and physical) observations or assumptions, Rothbard deduces the corpus of libertarian law, from the law ofappropriation to that ofcontracts andpunishment."[6] Hoppe writes thatThe Ethics of Liberty was Rothbard's second magnum opus, the other beingMan, Economy, and State (1962).[7]
Reception of the book has been positive in libertarian circles. Many praise the book for its incisive analysis ofnatural law and its practical applications.[independent source needed] Libertarian commentator Sheldon Richman says: "The Ethics of Liberty is a great book that deserves the attention of anyone interested in the good society and human flourishing."[8]
The philosopher Matt Zwolinski criticized the book, writing that "Rothbard'sdiscussion ofself-ownership in chapter six rests on a fundamental confusion between descriptive andnormative claims."[9][10]
The philosopherJohn Hospers wrote a critique containing his various thoughts and criticisms of the book immediately after its publication.[11]
His ambiguous stance on the deceptions and frauds described in the book later gave rise to much debate.[12][13][14][15]
One can also argue that whether the sale is a legal offense depends upon whether Ethan knew the truth and intentionally exaggerated the qualities of his product: did he intentionally lie, or did he make an honest mistake? Does it matter? Rothbard would probably say no. Consider again his remark: “Surely legality or illegality should depend not on the motivation of the actor, but on the objective nature of the act. If an action is objectively non-invasive, then it should be legal regardless of the benevolent or malicious intentions of the actor” (Rothbard 1982, p. 121).
— PAVEL SLUTSKIY(2016), FRAUDULENT ADVERTISING:, pp.112-113[16]
Anarchist author Iain Mckay has argued that the book is written contradictorily from an anarchist perspective and is not anarchistic.[17]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)