An Introduction to Libertarian Ethics
My libertarianism is hedonist. I don’t mean anything goes. I’m not a libertine. I am seeking to live the best life for myself that I can. I desire to be at liberty to live as I choose. However, as many libertarians point out, my right to swing my fists ends where your nose begins. A libertarian lifestyle requires a refined sense of ethics. It requires my commitment to examining my actions to ensure that I am not intentionally or inadvertently violating the liberty of another individual or group.
This is no easy task. I’ve adopted non-aggression as my first principal. My ethics flows from there. However, this doesn’t make me a pacifist. While I will not be aggressive against another, I am at liberty to defend my life, family and property. I dislike the crude and destructive nature of human violence. Sadly, other people’s actions often make it necessary to defend ourselves violently. You break into my house at night while I’m sleeping you will be met with physical resistance. I prefer cooperation, and good-faith negotiation when our personal interests are at odds with each other.
As for the hedonism I mentioned above, I tend to think in terms of achieving life-satisfaction rather than pleasure seeking. I’m probably splitting hairs here, but delayed gratification, self-sacrifice and working hard have an important role in a well lived life. Nature doesn’t conform to our desires.
As far as seeking pleasure or seeking agreeable experiences go, it should be noted that a good deal of prudence can be useful. There are many things that are fine to do or seek, but they are not necessarily healthy for me. Nonetheless, seeking pleasurable circumstances while avoiding adverse situations or painful experiences is human nature – it is the nature of all sentient beings. I find no shame in this nor do I feel it necessary to mortify the flesh against my human desire.
Unfortunately, there are circumstances beyond my control. Life doesn’t go as planned. Nature doesn’t care if I am happy, well-fed and living a self-actualized life. Causality is a powerful force. Therefore, I will need to develop psychological strategies to overcome what can be overcome, and to endure what can only be endured. In other words, to be at liberty is to pay my money and take my chances. I am at choice regardless of what happens. That is enough for me.