Locke, Nozick and the state of nature

Philosophical Studies 177 (3):705-726 (2020)
  Copy   BIBTEX

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.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,616

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

A demoktesis de Robert Nozick.Luiz Felipe Netto de Andrade E. Silva Sahd - 2006 - Philósophos - Revista de Filosofia 11 (1):145-157.
Robert Nozick and the Immaculate Conception of the State.Murray Rothbard - 1977 - Journal of Libertarian Studies 1 (1):45-57.
II. Nozick's entitlements.Onora O'Neill - 1976 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 19 (1-4):468-481.
Has Nozick Justified the State?Charles Sayward & Wayne Wasserman - 1981 - Pacific Philosophical Quarterly 62 (4):411-415.
The Withering of Nozick’s Minimal State.Jeffery E. Paul - 1979 - Philosophy Research Archives 5:275-285.
Zur Kritik der libertären Eigentumskonzeption.Peter Koller - 1981 - Analyse & Kritik 3 (2):137-154.
Property and Welfare in Liberal Political Philosophy.Jennifer Louise Mayor - 1984 - Dissertation, Council for National Academic Awards (United Kingdom)
Locke (and Hobbes) on “Property” in the State of Nature.Michael Davis - 2013 - International Philosophical Quarterly 53 (3):271-287.
Nozick and Locke: Filling the space of rights.Jeremy Waldron - 2005 - Social Philosophy and Policy 22 (1):81-110.
A can of tomato juice in the sea.Alejandra Mancilla - 2015 - Philosophy Now 107:20-21.

Analytics

Added to PP
2018-11-20

Downloads
69 (#214,873)

6 months
9 (#144,939)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

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.

Add more citations

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.

View all 27 references / Add more references