Nozick’s Solution for Achieving General Justice

Abstract

Robert Nozick (1938–2002), an American philosopher and influential scholar of the 20th century, renowned for his most significant work Anarchy, State and Utopia, published in 1974, which at that time embodied a sort of intellectual rebellion. Since he and John Rawls were contemporaries, Nozick demonstrates in his work a sort of alternative to Rawls’ understanding of a state with maximal authority, by expounding on interpersonal relationships which must be based upon equal starting positions, and where state authority is minimal, in order for individual rights to thus be protected. Today, there is increasing apathy on a world scale originating in disenchantment with the liberal economic model, as well as the wild capitalism model of transitional countries which have not found their way in the newly arisen circumstances. Therefore, it is of essential importance to (re)valorize Nozick’s theory which is a praiseworthy effort to overcome the general societal crisis and an attempt to seek out the best possible solution for each individual. This solution is based on maximal respect for the personal rights of the individual who is associated with a community of persons like himself and who thus achieves personal affirmation. A society of this kind would insure the highest possible level of interpersonal solidarity and thus would satisfy the principles of justice.