Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland

English abstract: In his recent publication, Walter Block claims that disgorgement of indirect proceeds of crime is incompatible with libertarianism. The present paper argues that Block’s claim is incorrect. In support of this position two general arguments are offered. The first one builds on the distinction between restitution and punishment, showing that forfeiture of assets derived indirectly from crime would not – contra Block – result in unequal punishment under retributive justice. The second one refers to libertarian principles of distributive justice and demonstrates that indirect proceeds of crime are owned by the aggrieved parties. Put together, these arguments conclusively show that the idea that indirect proceeds of crime should be forfeited is compatible with libertarianism.

Keywords: proceeds of crime, libertarianism, restitution, punishment

Language: English

Published: Number 2(35)/2023, pp. 20-33.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36280//AFPiFS.2023.2.20

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This text is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

Abstract: Ayn Rand is generally considered a libertarian, although she never claimed to belong to this movement. Undoubtedly, she was best known for promoting liberal and capitalist ideas. The author of this paper argues that Rand’s philosophical and political concepts can be described as revolutionary. The purpose of this text is to prove it by pointing to the manifestations of revolutionism in Rand’s works, ideas and concepts. The author distinguishes five different aspects through which her revolutionism is expressed. These are: (1) the antimystical aspect; (2) the anthropological aspect; (3) the social aspect; (4) the political aspect, and (5) the economic aspect. Such wide-ranging revolutionism makes some researchers and commentators recognize Rand’s thought as a manifestation of utopian thinking.

Keywords: objectivism, libertarianism, philosophy of politics, liberalism, revolutionism

Language: English

Received: 31.10.2017
Accepted: 27.03.2018

Published: Number 2(17)/2018, pp. 35-46.

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Number of downloads: 413