Definition of Libertarianism (was: prejudices)

From: Ka-Ping Yee (ping@foresight.org)
Date: Wed Sep 17 1997 - 02:45:27 MDT


Damien Broderick wrote:
>
> I just found a charming essay at
>
> http://webley.zq.com/tle/le970401-10.html

I read and quite enjoyed it, thank you.

I wandered around the site and noticed the following definition
at the top of the current issue's page:

  "A libertarian is a person who believes that no one has the right,
  under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human
  being, or to advocate or delegate its initiation. Those who act
  consistently with this principle are libertarians, whether they
  realize it or not. Those who fail to act consistently with it are
  not libertarians, regardless of what they may claim."

This is an interesting and somewhat curious definition. According to
the above it would seem that any person who applied force to stop the
rape or murder of someone they loved would not be libertarian.

Thus, for example, i fail this qualification in my current state.

Is this the intent of "libertarianism"? I seek to improve my
understanding. Thanks,

Ping



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