Journal of Libertarian Studies

The Negative Homesteading Theory: Rejoinder to Walter Block on Human Body Shields

The Journal of Libertarian Studies
Downloads

According to the negative homesteading theory, one can come to own misery—a state of being, or about to be, attacked—which one cannot legitimately pass on to someone else, without his permission. Should one however try to forward this misery onto someone else, this person has the right to defend himself from the “forwarding of misery.” One has, however, not the right to initiate force against someone who only “holds” misery or has just been relieved of one’s misery.

Volume 22, Number 1 (2010)

CITE THIS ARTICLE

Jakobsson, Carl. “The Negative Homesteading Theory: Rejoinder to Walter Block on Human Body Shields.” Journal of Libertarian Studies 22, No. 1 (2010): 99–102.

All Rights Reserved ©
What is the Mises Institute?

The Mises Institute is a non-profit organization that exists to promote teaching and research in the Austrian School of economics, individual freedom, honest history, and international peace, in the tradition of Ludwig von Mises and Murray N. Rothbard. 

Non-political, non-partisan, and non-PC, we advocate a radical shift in the intellectual climate, away from statism and toward a private property order. We believe that our foundational ideas are of permanent value, and oppose all efforts at compromise, sellout, and amalgamation of these ideas with fashionable political, cultural, and social doctrines inimical to their spirit.

Become a Member
Mises Institute