Smith discusses some elements of credibility and offers advice on how to engage in arguments.

Smith discusses some common problems encountered by libertarians when they defend their political beliefs in arguments.

Smith discusses the influence of puritanism, the religious revival in the early 19th century, and Spooner’s disagreements with Christian ethics.

Smith begins his discussion of Lysander Spooner’s libertarian classic, “Vices are not Crimes.”

Smith continues his explanation of why so many abolitionists supported the compulsory prohibition of alcohol by linking them to the ideology of the Whig Party.

Smith explains some fundamental tenets of the moral sense school of ethics, especially as found in the writings of Francis Hutcheson.

Smith discusses some of Kant’s ideas about the moral, political, and practical aspects of perpetual peace.

Smith discusses some libertarian aspects of Kant’s theory of individual rights.

Smith discusses how Kant used his theory of property rights to justify government, and how he distinguished physical possession from rightful ownership.

Smith discusses the mythological thinking that dominated Nazi ideology, as explained in Cassirer’s book The Myth of the State.

Smith explores Rand’s contention that America was sliding down a slippery slope to fascism.

Smith explains Locke’s ideas about how we should interpret a philosophic text, and the relationship between labor and private property.

In his first essay in a new series on John Locke, Smith explains some essential features of Locke’s case for private property.

Smith discusses the traditional Christian theory of private property and how it was viewed as the result of original sin.

Smith critically examines the claim that Meslier was a communist anarchist.

Smith criticizes some features of Spinoza’s political theory, especially his theory of rights.

Smith explains how some leading Christian theologians justified the death penalty for heretics and blasphemers.

Smith begins his series on the historical relationship between religious skepticism and libertarianism.