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Title: No, The American Founders Were Not Libertarians
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URL Source: http://thefederalist.com/2017/05/02 ... can-founders-not-libertarians/
Published: May 2, 2017
Author: Jonathan Ashbach
Post Date: 2018-01-25 08:43:41 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 6046
Comments: 148
Libertarians are still trying to claim the American Founding as theirs. One occasionally hears the argument that the principles of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are libertarian. One of the most recent instances of this claim resides in Nikolai Wenzel’s first-rate defense of libertarianism in “Selfish Libertarians and Socialist Conservatives?” (Stanford: 2017). Yet a closer look at the Founders’ thought about government makes clear that it was anything but libertarian. Wenzel notes there are different types of libertarianism. He clarifies that “unless I specify otherwise, I will use the term libertarian to mean minarchy.” Minarchist libertarianism holds that government exists only to protect individuals’ rights. “A libertarian government is forbidden from doing almost everything,” Wenzel states. “In fact, a libertarian government is empowered to do only one thing: defend individual rights.” Wenzel’s argument for a libertarian Founding rests largely on the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Indeed, his claims do seem superficially persuasive. The Constitution limits the federal government to the exercise of a few specific powers. Surely, this is a classic instance of libertarian philosophy limiting the sphere of government, is it not? As Wenzel argues, “By and large, the enumerated powers granted to the federal government under Article I, section 8, are in line with libertarian philosophy.” He recognizes that elements of the Constitution violate libertarian principles, but his overall evaluation is that “The U.S. Constitution was largely a libertarian document.” The Declaration, argues Wenzel, is more explicitly libertarian. It declares that all possess natural rights and that governments are created to protect those rights. “There, then,” says Wenzel, “is the political philosophy of the Declaration: The purpose of government is to protect rights. Period.” He calls this “a minimalist philosophy with which any libertarian would agree.” The Fatal Flaw: A Different Understanding of Rights So far, all of this sounds quite convincing, but there is a fatal flaw in Wenzel’s argument. Both libertarians and the American Founders describe the purpose of government as the protection of rights. But by “rights” they mean two very different things. For Wenzel, respecting others’ rights simply means refraining from coercion. The state exists only to protect rights, and therefore, “the state itself may not engage in any coercion, except to prevent coercion.” He argues that participants in immoral trades, such as “The drug pusher, the prostitute, and the pornographer,” do not violate others’ rights “as long as they do not coercively impose their wares on others.” Nor does the polygamist. Wenzel’s coauthor Nathan Schlueter points out the problem with this position: “Libertarianism essentially denies that…moral harms exist and maintains that the only real injustice is coercion. Accordingly, it promotes a legal regime in which some individuals are legally entitled to harm others in noncoercive ways.” Wenzel assumes that only coercion violates rights. The Founders profoundly disagreed. A Second Look at the Founding Creed Think again about the alleged libertarianism of the Founding documents. Wenzel makes a common mistake in assuming that the limitation of the national government to a few specific enumerated powers reflects libertarian belief. But this limitation has nothing to do with libertarianism. It has everything to do with federalism. The federal government was only created to fulfill certain limited, particular purposes. It was not created to do everything the Founders believed government should do. Most of those functions—and, on the whole, those less compatible with libertarianism—were entrusted to the states. The fact that the enumerated powers of the federal government are largely consistent with libertarianism does not mean the Founders were libertarians. It means nothing at all, in fact. It is a conclusion based on only half the data. Actually, the enumeration of federal powers is more an accident of history than anything else. James Madison’s original proposal was that the national government simply possess blanket authority “to legislate in all cases to which the separate States are incompetent.” The Constitutional Convention ultimately chose to list its powers, believing this was less liable to abuse, but this decision was by no means dictated by the Founders’ beliefs about government. As for the Declaration, it does not say that government exists only to protect individuals’ life, liberty, and property. A libertarian right to be free of coercion is not intended here. Instead, the Declaration states that life and liberty are included “among” the natural rights of mankind, as is something else referred to as “the pursuit of happiness.” The right to happiness was not simply sweet-sounding rhetoric. It was the centerpiece of the Founders’ political theory. Government for the Common Good The Founders’ political theory was not libertarian, because they believed that the preeminent human right was happiness. The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, for example, states: “All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness” (emphases added). As the language makes clear, the rights of man could be expressed as a list of rights that includes life, liberty, and property. But the great right that encompassed all others was the right to pursue (or even obtain!) happiness. Assertions of this right to happiness appear in many Founding-Era writings, including other state constitutions. The purpose of government, in turn, was to help people achieve happiness by promoting their good. Delegate to the Constitutional Convention James Wilson wrote one of the most thorough expositions of the Founding philosophy—his famous “Lectures on Law.” In them, he explains that the purpose of government is to promote the well-being of those subject to it: “Whatever promotes the greatest happiness of the whole,” that is what government should do. Once again, this sort of talk is commonplace. Twelve of the 13 original states adopted a constitution in the Founding Era. Every one of these states described the purpose of government as promoting the well-being of citizens. The New Hampshire constitution of 1784 is typical, holding that “all government…is…instituted for the general good.” What Conservative Governance Means Because the general good includes the moral good, this meant discouraging immoral behavior. Wenzel speaks of voluntary drug and sexual matters as beyond the purview of a libertarian government. But such laws were universal in early America. Thus Mark Kann writes in “Taming Passion for the Public Good” that “the state’s right to regulate sexual practices…was undisputed” in early America, and Wilson notes bigamy, prostitution, and indecency as offenses subject to punishment on Founding political theory. Similarly, in “Federalist” 12, Alexander Hamilton cites the beneficial impact on morals as a justification for federal taxation of alcoholic imports. The Founders used government to discourage other noncoercive activities, as well. In 1778, Congress recommended to the states “suppressing theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners.” In his book, “The People’s Welfare,” William Novak details the extensive regulation of everything from lotteries and usury to Sunday travel, coarse language, and poor relief that was the norm during the Founding Era. The American Founders believed that government exists to protect rights, just as libertarians do. But their understanding of rights was radically different from the libertarian understanding. Libertarians like Wenzel believe that protecting rights means prohibiting coercion. The Founders believed that protecting rights meant seeking the moral and material well- being of society. The American Founding was conservative, not libertarian. Libertarians will have to look elsewhere to support their beliefs. Jonathan Ashbach is a PhD student in politics at Hillsdale College. Jonathan has worked in the hospitality industry and as assistant editor for the Humboldt Economic Index. His work has also been published on Patheos and Christianity Today.
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#1. To: A K A Stone (#0)
Ah, so he's a former night clerk who spent his spare time wiping up loads in some roach motel and who is now trying to become a Hillsdale theocon. The Founders were most certainly libertarians. But they had an Enlightenment ideal of liberty. To them, liberty meant freedom from a distant tyrant ruling their lives. It meant a Bill of Rights that guaranteed liberty from any central government that did anything more than keep up a few trade roads and bridges and some common defense against the machinations of England/France/Spain to reclaim this continent for themselves. Nearly all the coinage of the era bore the image of Lady Liberty (mere pols were not allowed on coins). The French gave us the Statue of Liberty because that was considered the hallmark of the American Revolution. At the very least, the Deists of the Founding era were much closer to modern libertarians than to the theocons of Hillsdale. And most of the Founders would not be allowed to attend Hillsdale if they were alive today. Not religious enough.
You're not that dumb are you? Libertarian means amoral. They were not libertarians. That is a silly notion.
Nope. While I agree the U.S. Constitution appears to be a Libertarian-leaning document, that says nothing about those who wrote it. After all, this document merely defined and limited the newly-formed federal government. What about the states the Founders were from? Some states had their own religion, limited free speech, ignored the fourth amendment, limited freedom of assembly, and many more. Why would a Libertarian allow such practices in their own state, many of which survived until the early to mid- 1900's?
Seriously? What dictionary is that taken from? libertarians are no more or less amoral than the rest of society. Some states had their own religion, limited free speech, ignored the fourth amendment, limited freedom of assembly, and many more. Why would a Libertarian allow such practices in their own state, many of which survived until the early to mid- 1900's? States' rights, "laboratories of democracy", etc. And there was always the great unsettled American West for those who didn't want to obey any states' laws. The Founders founded a federal government. While many were instrumental in their own state governments as well (Jefferson, Patrick Henry, etc.), the Founders refers only to their founding of the federal government. And, yes, the Founders were quite willing to grant powers to their own state governments that they explicitly forbade to the federal government in the Constitution and in the Bill of Rights. There is a problem of anachronism here. What we mean by libertarian (or conservative or liberal) was not something you could just use to describe the primary philosophy of the Founders. But I would call them libertarians before I would call them either liberal or conservative in the modern sense of those much-abused terms. As you look at the late Enlightenment era with the American revolution and the French revolution, you see a very common conception of liberty as that of men who are free to do as they wish as long as it does not impinge on the equal right of fellow-citizens to do as they wish. Recently, someone mentioned on the forum Jacobites, an obscure reference for most of us. After James II was deposed in 1688 and replaced by his daughter Mary II, ruling jointly with her husband and first cousin (James's nephew) William III, the Stuarts lived in exile, occasionally attempting to regain the throne. The strongholds of Jacobitism were parts of the Scottish Highlands and the lowland north-east of Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Northern England (mostly within the counties of Northumberland and Lancashire). Significant support also existed in Wales and South-West England. The Jacobites believed that parliamentary interference with the line of succession to the English and Scottish thrones was illegal. Catholics also hoped the Stuarts would end the discrimination against recusants. In Scotland, the Jacobite cause became intertwined with the clan system. Who were these recusants? Catholics who refused, upon threat of execution, to attend the worship services of the Church of England. Many priests were executed, many others fled. However, this is a fundamentally libertarian issue. They wanted freedom to worship as they chose, not to be forced by law to worship and offer fealty to the state church of the king of England. One can look to the French Revolution as well, with its emphasis on the Rights of Man, a declaration of natural rights and a constitution that seem to copy a fair portion of the sentiments expressed in America's Declaration and its constitution. We have to understand these historical events and figures on their own terms, not try to distort them into paragons of some modern political philosophy to which they never subscribed. They were, as we are, creatures of their own era and the great issues of their time.
I don't buy that. It took U.S. Supreme Court rulings to force the states to become less oppressive.
I'm not going to comment a lot on this. I think many confuse being Libertine with being Libertarian, though.
Libertarian ideas are largely immoral. But most libertarians are amoral and don't know the difference. Like legalizing harmful drugs. Like open borders. Like faggot pretend marriage. A libertarian came and visited us in high school many moons ago. He was an idiot. Libertarian equals amoral thinking. They equate moral and immoral.
More accurately, it took the Court and the judicial power it claimed for itself, entirely apart from the Constitution, in Marbury v. Madison to impose constitutional protections to state laws as well as the federal government. It was always inconsistent to recognize that citizens had a list of natural rights inherent to all human beings and then allow states to abuse those rights willynilly. The Court resolved this contradiction over time, weakening states' rights in favor of individual rights.
Such an ignorant statement.
Tooconservative ---- It was always inconsistent to recognize that citizens had a list of natural rights inherent to all human beings and then allow states to abuse those rights willynilly. yes, the Founders were quite willing to grant powers to their own state governments that they explicitly forbade to the federal government in the Constitution and in the Bill of Rights. There is a problem of anachronism here. What we mean by libertarian (or conservative or liberal) was not something you could just use to describe the primary philosophy of the Founders. But I would call them libertarians before I would call them either liberal or conservative in the modern sense of those much-abused terms. Well put... And as usual, by touting out his silly argument that States were supposedly given the power to ignore our inalienable rights, misterwhite once again displays his socialist/statist leanings.. Thanks..
It is not ignorant. It is extremely truthful. Libertarians never embrace virtue. Then they champion immorality as it is virtuous.
Amoral, not immoral. And Libertarianism IS amoral.
Thank you misterwhite. They certainly are amoral.
Maybe true. However, there is a difference between libertines and libertarians.
I begin to think you don't grasp the difference between amoral and immoral. You keep saying 'amoral' when you seem to intend 'immoral'. Oxford Concise Dictionary:
Libertarians take no moral position on abortion, gambling, prostitution, porn, suicide, or age of consent. They simply say the government should not be involved in those areas. To me, that's an amoral position. By definition.
However, this is a fundamentally libertarian issue. They wanted freedom to worship as they chose, not to be forced by law to worship and offer fealty to the state church of the king of England. One can look to the French Revolution as well, with its emphasis on the Rights of Man, a declaration of natural rights and a constitution that seem to copy a fair portion of the sentiments expressed in America's Declaration and its constitution. We have to understand these historical events and figures on their own terms, not try to distort them into paragons of some modern political philosophy to which they never subscribed. They were, as we are, creatures of their own era and the great issues of their time. You're basically right in this analysis. Here's really the problem: when WE in OUR time, talk about "liberty" and get impassioned about it, what WE mean, really, broadly speaking, is SEXUAL liberty and the liberty to do DRUGS. Nobody in 1787, and I really mean NOBODY, thought that homosexual sodomy was a matter of "liberty". THAT was simply depravity, and "liberty" was exalted, while libertinism - specifically debauchery - was criminal. Drugs were not something anybody thought about legislating against in those days. These were not issues "lurking" that the Founders figured would be dealt with later (FIRST let's get a country, then we'll worry about these things) - slavery is THAT issue - but drugs were not on the cards, and nobody had sexual libertinism in mind when he used the word "liberty". WE obsess about sex as a society, and skin color; and some of us (more here than elsewhere, about drugs: two of these issues were not in the empire of liberty in 1787. Slavery WAS on people's minds - John Adams, for example, saw it for what it was: a violation of the whole principle of equality. The further South one went, the less that view was held. SOME of the Founders recognized slavery as a true issue of liberty. Not one of them - not John Adams, not anybody living back then - even considered that homosexual sodomy or polygamy were matters within the empire of Liberty at all.
To me, that's an amoral position. By definition. That isn't universal because thee are, for instance, libertarians that are very pro-life. Perhaps a majority of Libertarian Party members are still pro-life (though the leadership is not). But there are many kinds of libertarians and they emphasize different aspects of libertarian philosophy. For instance, a majority of libertarians embrace the Non-Aggression Principle. These are essentially pacifists who do believe in a right to self-defense, the so-called natural-rights libertarians. But that is just one flavor of libertarian. You also have the Objectivists, people who advocate for Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy. You have anarcho-capitalists. And Left-libertarians. And lots of others. The libertarians are by no means a monolithic group. They're a herd of cats.
Nobody in 1787, and I really mean NOBODY, thought that homosexual sodomy was a matter of "liberty". THAT was simply depravity, and "liberty" was exalted, while libertinism - specifically debauchery - was criminal. Certainly not Thomas Jefferson who authored the very strict laws against sodomy in his home state of Virginia. Yet he would not have imagined trying to codify this as federal law. Neither would any of the other Founders.
In 1778, Congress recommended to the states “suppressing theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners.” In his book, “The People’s Welfare,” William Novak details the extensive regulation of everything from lotteries and usury to Sunday travel, coarse language, and poor relief that was the norm during the Founding Era. The 'era' above ended with the ratification of the first ten amendments in 1791.. After this date, States were "bound" to the "supreme Law of the Land", --- "any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." Unfortunately, many States ignored the supremacy clause, and it took the civil war (and the 14th Amendment) to LEGALLY resolve the issue. Our rights are still being infringed by unconstitutional state 'laws', -- that attempt to regulate morals, drugs, guns, -- you name it.....
Sure. But Congress knew they had no power to pass federal legislation in these areas. Certainly, they still had the right to free speech and to advocate public policy back in the States even if they knew they couldn't enact statutes like that at the federal level. The Founders clearly knew that there was a fundamental contradiction in declaring the natural rights of man but still allow slaves to be held in perpetuity while yet counting them as three-fifths of a person for Census purposes so as to grant to the Southern slave states an increase in the number of seats they held in the House. This was an inducement to the South to join the Union. But sooner or later, there was going to be a resolution. Unfortunately, we killed 800,000 soldiers in the Civil War and then allowed 1.4 million or more former slaves to die of neglect and bad hygiene in post-war concentration camps throughout the South.
You say that as if you've ever met any of us. Which, obviously, you have not.
No I certainly mean amoral.
To me, that's an amoral position. By definition. Exactly misterwhite.
Yet you felt comfortable characterizing the Founders as Libertarians.
True. He, and they - all of them - would have known that their state had its laws and enforced them, so there was no need for the federal government to be involved in criminal law matters. None of them would have imagined that sodomy would be IMPOSED on the states by the Federal judiciary. Had they foreseen THAT, we would have a different judicial system.
Oh no, the longer cartoon with the 24 types was really very funny and right on target. You should post the whole thing.
I would say it matters how you define a Libertarian. If it it means you are free to live your moral life without a lot of government influence, then they were Libertarians.
I don't need to meet people to comment on the principles of Libertarianism. And those principles advocate minimal government intervention. A Libertarian, for example, doesn't need to favor abortion or oppose abortion. A Libertarian simply believes the government should not be involved in the decision. That is an amoral (or non-moral, if you prefer) position.
Hah! Like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall. "If it means you are free to live your moral life without a lot of government influence, then they were Libertarians." Libertarianism is not about morality. Libertarianism is about keeping the government away from the individual. If the individual leads a moral life or an immoral life, Libertarians don't care. That makes them amoral. Which was the point.
Some people want the freedom to use drugs, but I want the freedom to raise my young and impressionable children in a drug-free environment. Now what?
Granted, --- "An immoral person commits acts that violate society's moral norms." But an amoral person, while understanding these norms, rejects the concept that a 'moral majority' can dictate what is right and wrong for everyone. Many rules that are made by a majority restrict the non violent activities,-- the basic human rights of everyone else. Legislating morality is unconstitutional.. --- Reasonably regulating public activities is a power given by the people to State/local governments..
Prison. Build a wall with razor wire around your place so the kids don't escape. It's for the children! Some people want the freedom to use drugs, but I want the freedom to raise my young and impressionable children in a drug-free environment. Now what? --- misterwhite Why does misterwhite imagine that others using drugs (in private, because of reasonable regulations against public use) will affect his impressionable kids? Why can't be raise his kids to be aware of the dangers of drug usage? -- What, he needs laws to protect his kids from his bad parenting?
Liberty is a gift from God? I'm sticking with the "Hostilitarian" perspective on that: I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY TO EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN -- Thomas Jefferson
You seem to object more to what you consider a lack of morality by libertarians. Surely you are not complaining foremost that libertarians completely lack any sense or consciousness of morality.
Yet you felt comfortable characterizing the Founders as Libertarians. What do you think your point is? The Founders themselves were far from being a monolithic group. Look how quickly the Federalist and Antifederalist factions squared up to fight it out politically. Many of the Founders were quite concerned to prevent other Founders from taking the country in a particular direction.
Great points. You could elaborate at book length on these topics, the big Philosophy Of Government issues.
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestJonathan has worked in the hospitality industry and as assistant editor for the Humboldt Economic Index. His work has also been published on Patheos and Christianity Today.
#2. To: Tooconservative (#1)
The Founders were most certainly libertarians.
#3. To: Tooconservative (#1)
The Founders were most certainly libertarians.
#4. To: A K A Stone (#2)
Libertarian means amoral.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#5. To: misterwhite, A K A Stone, Vicomte13 (#3)
After all, this document merely defined and limited the newly-formed federal government. What about the states the Founders were from?
Jacobitism was a political movement in Great Britain and Ireland that aimed to restore the Roman Catholic Stuart King James II of England and Ireland (as James VII in Scotland) and his heirs to the thrones of England, Scotland, France and Ireland. The movement took its name from Jacobus, the Renaissance Latin form of Iacomus, which in turn comes from the original Latin form of James, "Iacobus." Adherents rebelled against the British government on several occasions between 1688 and 1746.
#6. To: Tooconservative (#5)
States' rights, "laboratories of democracy", etc.
#7. To: A K A Stone (#0)
#8. To: no gnu taxes (#7)
#9. To: misterwhite (#6)
I don't buy that. It took U.S. Supreme Court rulings to force the states to become less oppressive.
#10. To: A K A Stone (#2)
Libertarian means amoral.
#11. To: Tooconservative, y'all (#5)
Some states had their own religion, limited free speech, ignored the fourth amendment, limited freedom of assembly, and many more. Why would a Libertarian allow such practices in their own state, many of which survived until the early to mid- 1900's? --- misterwhite
#12. To: Hank Rearden (#10)
#13. To: Hank Rearden (#10)
Libertarian means amoral.
Such an ignorant statement.
#14. To: misterwhite (#13)
#15. To: A K A Stone (#8)
Libertarian ideas are largely immoral. But most libertarians are amoral and don't know the difference.
#16. To: A K A Stone, misterwhite, Hank Rearden (#14)
(Edited)
Thank you misterwhite. They certainly are amoral.
USAGE
Immoral means ‘failing to adhere to moral standards.’ Amoral is a more neutral, impartial word meaning ‘without, or not concerned with, moral standards.’ An immoral person commits acts that violate society's moral norms. An amoral person has no understanding of these norms, or no sense of right and wrong. Amoral may also mean ‘not concerned with, or outside the scope of morality’ (following the pattern of apolitical, asexual). Amoral, then, may refer to a judicial ruling that is concerned only with narrow legal or financial issues. Whereas amoral may be simply descriptive, immoral is judgmental.
#17. To: Tooconservative (#16)
You keep saying 'amoral' when you seem to intend 'immoral'.
#18. To: Tooconservative (#5)
Who were these recusants? Catholics who refused, upon threat of execution, to attend the worship services of the Church of England. Many priests were executed, many others fled.
#19. To: misterwhite (#17)
Libertarians take no moral position on abortion, gambling, prostitution, porn, suicide, or age of consent. They simply say the government should not be involved in those areas.
#20. To: Vicomte13 (#18)
(Edited)
Here's really the problem: when WE in OUR time, talk about "liberty" and get impassioned about it, what WE mean, really, broadly speaking, is SEXUAL liberty and the liberty to do DRUGS.
Well, maybe a few in Rhode Island but even there they wouldn't have said so publicly.
#21. To: All (#0)
The Founders used government to discourage other noncoercive activities, as well.
#22. To: tpaine (#21)
(Edited)
In 1778, Congress recommended to the states “suppressing theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners.”
Unfortunately, many States ignored the supremacy clause, and it took the civil war (and the 14th Amendment) to LEGALLY resolve the issue.
#23. To: A K A Stone (#0)
What exactly is a libertarian?
"Libertarianism is the political philosophy that people have the authority to determine and pursue their own self-interest, and that government is only authorized to restrict freedom when the freedom of two people are in conflict with each other."
DACA Shithole Dreamers - Make America Great Again?
#24. To: misterwhite, A K A Stone (#13)
Amoral, not immoral. And Libertarianism IS amoral.
#25. To: Tooconservative (#16)
#26. To: misterwhite (#17)
Libertarians take no moral position on abortion, gambling, prostitution, porn, suicide, or age of consent. They simply say the government should not be involved in those areas.
#27. To: Tooconservative (#19)
"The libertarians are by no means a monolithic group."
#28. To: Tooconservative (#20)
Certainly not Thomas Jefferson who authored the very strict laws against sodomy in his home state of Virginia. Yet he would not have imagined trying to codify this as federal law. Neither would any of the other Founders.
#29. To: hondo68 (#23)
#30. To: misterwhite (#27)
characterizing the Founders as Libertarians.
#31. To: Hank Rearden (#24)
You say that as if you've ever met any of us. Which, obviously, you have not.
#32. To: no gnu taxes (#30)
I would say it matters how you define a Libertarian.
#33. To: hondo68 (#23)
and that government is only authorized to restrict freedom when the freedom of two people are in conflict with each other."
#34. To: Tooconservative (#16)
USAGE Immoral means ‘failing to adhere to moral standards.’ Amoral is a more neutral, impartial word meaning ‘without, or not concerned with, moral standards.’ An immoral person commits acts that violate society's moral norms. An amoral person has no understanding of these norms, or no sense of right and wrong.
#35. To: misterwhite (#33)
Now what?
DACA Shithole Dreamers - Make America Great Again?
#36. To: hondo68, y'all (#23)
hondo68 (#23) ---- government is only authorized to restrict freedom when the freedom of two people are in conflict with each other."
#37. To: A K A Stone (#0)
(Edited)
#38. To: A K A Stone (#25)
No I certainly mean amoral.
#39. To: misterwhite (#27)
"The libertarians are by no means a monolithic group."
#40. To: tpaine (#34)
Legislating morality is unconstitutional.. --- Reasonably regulating public activities is a power given by the people to State/local governments..
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