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Single Idea 18648

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value ]

Full Idea

Nozick says that the freedom to lead our lives in accordance with our own conception of the good is the ultimate value, so important that it cannot be sacrificed for other social ideals (e.g. equality of opportunity).

Gist of Idea

Freedom to live according to our own conception of the good is the ultimate value

Source

report of Robert Nozick (Anarchy,State, and Utopia [1974]) by Will Kymlicka - Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn) 4.2.b.ii

Book Ref

Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)' [OUP 1992], p.113


A Reaction

Clearly this ultimate value will not apply to children, so this view needs a sharp dislocation between children and adults. But some adults need a lot of looking after. Maybe we ALL need looking after (by one another)?


The 14 ideas from 'Anarchy,State, and Utopia'

If people hold things legitimately, just distribution is simply the result of free exchanges [Nozick, by Kymlicka]
Property is legitimate by initial acquisition, voluntary transfer, or rectification of injustice [Nozick, by Swift]
Nozick assumes initial holdings include property rights, but we can challenge that [Kymlicka on Nozick]
How did the private property get started? If violence was involved, we can redistribute it [Kymlicka on Nozick]
If property is only initially acquired by denying the rights of others, Nozick can't get started [Kymlicka on Nozick]
Freedom to live according to our own conception of the good is the ultimate value [Nozick, by Kymlicka]
A minimal state should protect, but a state forcing us to do more is unjustified [Nozick]
Individual rights are so strong that the state and its officials must be very limited in power [Nozick]
States can't enforce mutual aid on citizens, or interfere for their own good [Nozick]
If an experience machine gives you any experience you want, should you hook up for life? [Nozick]
Can I come to own the sea, by mixing my private tomato juice with it? [Nozick]
Unowned things may be permanently acquired, if it doesn't worsen the position of other people [Nozick]
Maybe land was originally collectively owned, rather than unowned? [Cohen,GA on Nozick]
My Anarchy, State and Utopia neglected our formal social ties and concerns [Nozick on Nozick]