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1. Libertarian Ethics
Lecture 6
December 9, 2011
Daniel James Sanchez

2. Rothbard’s Critique of Mises

3. Rothbard’s Critique of Hume

4. Values Implied by Living
“If Crusoe had eaten the mushrooms without learning of their poisonous effects, then
his decision would have been incorrect—a possibly tragic error based on the fact that
man is scarcely automatically determined to make correct decisions at all times.
Hence, his lack of omniscience and his liability to error. If Crusoe, on the other hand,
had known of the poison and eaten the mushrooms anyway—perhaps for “kicks” or
from a very high time preference—then his decision would have been objectively
immoral, an act deliberately set against his life and health. It may well be asked why
life should be an objective ultimate value, why man should opt for life (in duration and
quality).[5] In reply, we may note that a proposition rises to the status of an axiom
when he who denies it may be shown to be using it in the very course of the
supposed refutation.[6] Now, any person participating in any sort of discussion,
including one on values, is, by virtue of so participating, alive and affirming life. For if
he were really opposed to life, he would have no business in such a discussion,
indeed he would have no business continuing to be alive. Hence, the supposed
opponent of life is really affirming it in the very process of his discussion, and hence
the preservation and furtherance of one’s life takes on the stature of an incontestable
axiom.”

5. Hoppe
• “Equally applicable”; “Universally acceptable”
• “…if all goods were co-owned by everyone, then no one, at no
time and no place, would be allowed to do anything unless he
had previously secured every other co-owner’s consent to do
so.
• “Argumentation between Crusoe and Friday requires that both
have, and mutually recognize each other as having, exclusive
control over their respective bodies (their brain, vocal chords,
etc.)”
• “Conflict-generating norms contradict the very purpose of
norms.”

6. Hoppe
• “Equally applicable”; “Universally acceptable”
• “…if all goods were co-owned by everyone, then no one, at no
time and no place, would be allowed to do anything unless he
had previously secured every other co-owner’s consent to do
so.
• “Argumentation between Crusoe and Friday requires that both
have, and mutually recognize each other as having, exclusive
control over their respective bodies (their brain, vocal chords,
etc.)”
• “Conflict-generating norms contradict the very purpose of
norms.”