Locke, Nozick and the state of nature

Philosophical Studies 177 (3):705-726 (2020)
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Abstract

Recently, philosophers have drawn on tools from game theory to explore behavior in Hobbes’ state of nature. I take a similar approach and argue the Lockean state of nature is best conceived of as a conflictual coordination game. I also discuss Nozick’s famous claim regarding the emergence of the state and argue the path to the minimal state is blocked by a hitherto unnoticed free-rider problem. Finally, I argue that on my representation of the Lockean state of nature both widespread conflict and lasting peace are possible. This, I contend, is in line with one popular interpretation of Locke.

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Justin Bruner
University of Arizona

Citations of this work

Punishment and Disagreement in the State of Nature.Jacob Barrett - 2020 - Economics and Philosophy 36 (3):334-354.
Quantitative methods in philosophy of language.Rafael Ventura - 2019 - Philosophy Compass 14 (7):e12609.
Lockeans against labor mixing.Brian Kogelmann - 2021 - Politics, Philosophy and Economics 20 (3):251-272.
Computational Philosophy.Patrick Grim & Daniel Singer - 2024 - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

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References found in this work

Anarchy, State, and Utopia.Robert Nozick - 1974 - New York: Basic Books.
Anarchy, State, and Utopia.Robert Nozick - 1974 - Philosophy 52 (199):102-105.
Evolution of the Social Contract.Brian Skyrms - 1996 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
Natural justice.Ken Binmore - 2005 - New York: Oxford University Press.

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