The Human Body Shield

Tags: Calculation and Knowledge, Philosophy and Methodology, Legal System

07/30/2014 Journal of Libertarian Studies Walter Block

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A grabs B to use as a shield; A forces B to stand in front of him, and compels him to walk wherever A wishes. A then hunts C in order to murder the latter by shooting him. C also has a gun. Is it legally permissible for C to shoot at A in self defense under libertarian law? Were C to do so he would have to kill B, the innocent shield, in order to defend himself against the perpetrator, A. Assume that this tableau takes place on unowned property, so that the issue of the owner’s rules does not come into play.

Volume 22, Number 1 (2011)

CITE THIS ARTICLE

Block, Walter. “The Human Body Shield.” Journal of Libertarian Studies 22, No. 1 (2011): 625–630.

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