Commenting in my blog post entitled “Mind Your Own Business!”, frequently commenter Monte asked, “Do you believe libertarians believe that governments should play a role in setting self-ownership restrictions?”
I didn’t answer in the comments. Because the question is more interested and only a small percentage of readers read the comments.
We start by pointing out two important distinctions.
First, the word “ribera” with “l” is usually used to refer to people who are members of the Libertarian Party. I have not been a member of the Libertarian Party for at least 30 years. So, I answer as if Monte asked about the little “L” libertarian.
Secondly, I am a single Riveraran, so I will answer my own opinions. Other libertarians may have other opinions, but I think there is a ton of consensus.
Now I answer the question Monte asked as if asking my views.
The basic answer is no for all adults in a healthy mind. The exceptions are for children and adults who are not healthy.
If you say, “Wait a minute, you’re not completely uneasy,” you’re right.
Specifically, what is the age limit for defining a child? My answer is 18, but that is arbitrary. I remember David Friedman being asked this question after his speech. He thought that the answer, “A sub-people is not a child if they can make a mature desion” was not a good answer. He noted that Sub People made many bad decisions when they were 30, and that others made mostly good decisions when they were 14.
Let’s say we settle down to 18 years old. For example, what if you want to transfer your surgery to another gender when you’re 14? The surgery is very irreversible. Is it over 14 years old that should choose it? I say no. Does that mean that there are people over 18 who missed the chance to have surgery when they were 14 and regret it? fork. But that also means that many people are happy that they had no surgery at age 18 and 14.
If I agree with me that 18 is Kotov, then for people under the age of 18, there is still a question as to who decides for the child. Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian Party presidential candidate, believed that his parents should agree to the decision. I’m not pleading about it. The question I ask anyone who agrees to Oliver is, “If you want to take heroin or methane when you’re 14, should your child allow them to do so if their parents think it’s okay?” After all, surgery for gender transitions is usually less reversible than the effects of heroin.
How about not having a healthy mind? Will the IQ 40 Subone give you a healthy mind? I’m afraid not. However, this turns out to be arbitrary. Would you have a good argument against Sumone who said that IQ Kotov should be 30? 50? no i don’t.
