Maverick Philosopher

Footnotes to Plato from the foothills of the Superstition Mountains

Category: Rights and Duties

  • The Right to Ridicule Religion

    Mike Valle over at Fists in the Wind writes: I support the absolute right of all of these people to ridicule religion all that they want. I don't think the government should fund any of it, but I do believe in this fundamental principle: The right to ridicule religious beliefs absolutely trumps the so-called "right"…

  • Conservatives Versus Libertarians on Immigration

    Victor Reppert thinks that a conservative case can be made against immigration restriction but cites a libertarian article in support of his contention.  But as I see it, it is important to distinguish carefully between conservative and libertarian positions on this and other issues, despite several important points of agreement.  Pace Reppert, no conservative who…

  • Peter Lupu on My Gun Rights Argument

    A guest post by Peter Lupu.  Editing by BV.   BV will respond to PL in the ComBox.  Here in his own words is the argument that BV presented: 1. Every human person possesses a natural right to life. 2. If every human person has a natural right to life, then he has a right to defend his…

  • Deriving Gun Rights From the Right to Life

    I take the view that some rights are logically antecedent to anything of a conventional nature such as a group decision or a constitution. Thus the right to life is not conferred by any constitution, but recognized and protected by well-crafted ones. In simple terms, you don't have the right to life because some people…