ABSTRACT
This chapter presents and examines two arguments for political libertarianism. The arguments are Kantian in flavor, focusing on the moral significance of ones motive for action, and on the moral significance of autonomy. Both arguments begin by granting that there are very strong obligations to aid those in need, but go on to deny — for different reasons — the further claim that we ought to enforce those obligations. According to the first argument, forcing others to do what morality requires of them cannot succeed, since what morality requires of them is doing what is right for the right motives. In forcing others to fulfill their obligations we rob their actions of moral worth. According to the second argument, even if we could force others to do what morality requires of them, we are morally forbidden from doing so. Individuals have rights, which protect their moral autonomy.
