ABSTRACT
James Sterna wishes to show if libertarianism is correct and we have the familiar basic rights to life, liberty, and property, we all also have welfare rights, such as to health care, education, or basic support from others. This chapter argues, in contrast, if libertarianism is correct—that is, each of us is a sovereign individual and not a subject—and because the rights to welfare and equal opportunity require the violation of fundamental libertarian rights, no one has welfare rights. Political theories can be expected to be proven true only beyond reasonable doubt, and it is reasonable doubt that the author finds difficult to justify, concerning the merits of libertarianism. The chapter also argues that, if a classical egoist or eudaimonist ethic is sound and it gives rise, in community life, to individual rights to life, liberty, and property, and if, in community life, peace is impossible, then emergency social ethics come into play.
