Publication Date

2007

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Arnhart, Larry, 1949-

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

Department of Political Science

LCSH

Liberty; Sociobiology; Evolutionary psychology; Human behavior--Evolution

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to create a justification of liberty from an evolutionary perspective. I argue that the classical liberal institutions of rule of law, private property, and the private sphere fulfill natural human desires while creating a spontaneous order in which cooperation can flourish. These classical liberal institutions are good for humans because they satisfy our evolved human nature. This human nature has evolved primarily through natural selection. It is complex and yet predictable if one understands the environments in which we evolved. Human nature will include both universal desires and patterned variability in those desires.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references ([261]-267).

Extent

vii, 267 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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