A Theory of Justice (Nozick)

A Theory of Justice by Robert Nozick is a philosophical argument emphasizing individual rights and freedom. It asserts that justice is about respecting people's rights to acquire, transfer, and retain holdings (property or resources) freely. Nozick argues that a distribution of resources is just if it results from voluntary transactions, not from patterned wealth distributions designed by society. He opposes redistributive policies, claiming they violate individuals’ rights to control their holdings. Overall, Nozick champions a minimal state that protects individual freedoms, emphasizing that justice depends on respecting free choices rather than achieving specific social or economic outcomes.