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3 Libertarian Papers 1 (2011)
David Friedman and Libertarianism: A Critique

handle is hein.journals/libpa3 and id is 721 raw text is: VOL. 3, ARi. No. 35 (2011) DAVID FRIEDMAN AND LIBERTARIANISM: A CRITIQUE WALTER E. BLOCK 1. Introduction There is not one philosophy of libertarianism, but rather there are two. One of them, the utilitarian, is predicated on the notion that the free economy tends to bring about that state of affairs which is preferred by all or at least most of its members; the one that maximized utility. The other school of libertarian thought is the deontological one. It is based on the non aggression principle (NAP), according to which no one may properly initiate violence against another person or his justly owned property. The latter is based upon homesteading and legitimate title transfers, such as those that emanate from free trade or gifts. Friedman (1989) is clearly in the former camp, and attempts to show the advantages of this thesis over the latter. In his chapter 41, the main focus of the present critique, this author explicitly criticizes the deontological theory. Well, not that explicitly, in that he never once quotes or cites a single advocate of principled libertarianism. Rather, he attributes views to this perspective which are all but straw men and then proceeds to demolish them, at least to his own satisfaction. The present paper will attempt to defend deontological libertarianism against his unscrupulous attacks on it, and then return the favor by subjecting his own utilitarian libertarianism, to critical scrutiny. But there will be one difference in method between his procedure and ours. We will not insult his side of the debate by referring to hearsay evidence. Rather, we will do Friedman the honor of quoting directly from his published writings.' Walter E. Block (www.WalterBlock.com; wblockloyno.edu) is Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Prof of Economics, College of Business, Loyola University New Orleans and a Senior Fellow of the Ludwig von Mises Institute. CITE TIIIS ARTICLE As: Walter E. Block, David Friedman and Libertarianism: A Critique, Libertatian Papers 3, 35 (2011). ONLINE AT: libertarianpapers.oro. TIiIs ARTICLE Is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License (creativecommons.orgilcenses). I According to Mill (1859): 1 LIBERTARIAN PAPERS

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