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Speaker I'd like to introduce another libertarian philosopher -- Jan Narveson. His book, The Libertarian Idea, is worth reading. In fact, I think he is one of the most thorough writers on the subject of liberty and property.

Narveson writes about initial acquisition in the state of nature. He asks whether exclusive acquisition (i.e., strong property rights) obtained by first occupation will unjustly interfere with the liberty of others. He seems to agree with Pilon. Here's his answer:

People may, then, take what they please, so long as what they take, that is to say, what they do there, does not adversely affect the rights that people already have. That my acquisition of a given plot thereby disenables you from having that plot is true enough, but nothing to the point, since you had no right to that plot any more than I did. I acquired the right by getting there first and doing things with it. I did not activate a claim I already had, for I had none. Acquisition limits opportunity, to be sure. But nobody had a duty to provide you with that opportunity, nor even to maintain it for you. (The Libertarian Idea, p. 85)



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