August 4. 2008 07:48

Lisey, very probing questions. Rand had a tiered ethic: the first tier, prime axiom, is the absolute right of life which each individual has (which includes the right to be free from coercion, force, harm, etc); a corolary to the individual's right to freedom from coercion was the right of property, intellectual rights, physical rights, etc. However, equally true was that no one could use their life or property to harm another. The police, army and courts were the upholders of that; laws would only exist to protect each individual's innate right to life and property....some taxation was allowed. It was considered "insurance" and "protection" against looters and those who would harm.

Therefore, Rand would say that both polygamy and prostitution are private matters and should not be regulated. She would definitely draw the line however, at child brides, child rape, etc. All must be consensual between full adults in her reasoning.

Because of the prime axiom, slavery is the ultimate no-no for Rand. She faced the slavery of Soviet communism and fought it tooth and nail all her life.

You would not have to support anyone if you chose not to in the libertarian way of thinking....you might decide to if social order became a value to you.

You have got to attend Freedomfest...where libertarians of all stripes meet each year and harangue each other to death! It's quite funny.

Cyn