I’m Sick And Tired of the Flagpole Example

I am sick and tired of the flagpole example being brought up as a criticism of Rothbardian libertarians such as me who maintain that the non aggression principle, and private property rights, are together the foundation of this philosophy.

Here is a recent instance of this:

I am definitely an anarcho-capitalist in the Rothbardian tradition, but I’ve been thinking about ethics a lot. I’m sure you’ve heard the whole song and dance with the flag pole scenario. Although I do think it brings up an intriguing question; “Can we really believe in something we wouldn’t practice?” The example I would give is that if I was in someone’s home and a deadly blizzard developed, and they decided to kick me out. I think I would certainly resist their will, and I don’t believe I would feel guilty for acting in my own interest in that scenario in the slightest. I would defend a legal framework based on the NAP to the death, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bulletproof ethical philosophy.

Here is another:

Here is a hypothetical, I think due to Bill Bradford, for you to respond to. You fall off the balcony of your 10th floor apartment, catch hold of the flagpole of the balcony of the 9th floor apartment, are working your way in hand over hand when the owner of that apartment sees you and tell you to let go of his flagpole. Do you? Assume that he unambiguously owns the flagpole.

Here is my response to this challenge:

Block, Walter E. 2003B. “The Non-Aggression Axiom of Libertarianism,” February 17; http://archive.lewrockwell.com/block/block26.html

I’m keeping these people anonymous. One of them is a very famous libertarian theorist.

Best regards,

Walter

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