Introduction
In his book "The A Priori of Justice," Jakub Woziński proposes an ambitious reconstruction of natural law. Rather than relying on state decisions, he bases the system on axioms and the logic of human action. Readers will discover how the very act of engaging in discussion or making decisions gives rise to inviolable individual rights. This is not merely political theory, but an attempt to define the human being as a sovereign entity whose freedom has logical, rather than just conventional, foundations.
The Action Axiom and Argumentation Ethics
The foundation of Woziński’s concept is the action axiom—the proposition that "man acts." This claim is irrefutable because any attempt to negate it is itself a purposeful action. From this praxeological base emerges a libertarian anthropology, defining the human being as an autonomous entity capable of rationally justifying their actions.
Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s argumentation ethics plays a crucial role here. It posits that anyone entering into a dialogue must recognize the sovereignty of their interlocutor. Denying the right to self-ownership during a discussion leads to a performative contradiction. Thus, justice is not a product of social convention, but a logical necessity arising from the very act of communication.
Self-Ownership, Homesteading, and the Penal System
The capacity to act requires self-ownership, or exclusive control over one's own body. The principle of original appropriation is built upon this foundation: the first user of an unowned resource becomes its rightful owner. Woziński emphasizes that in a world of scarce goods, law must be a dispassionate mechanism for managing conflicts over material resources.
When property is violated, the system invokes the principle of estoppel. This principle holds that an aggressor loses the right to appeal to the very norms they have broken. In terms of punishment, restitution is key—striving to restore the original state and compensate the victim. This is a model of "double restitution," where the perpetrator experiences the logic of their own act, ensuring moral balance without the arbitrariness of state power.
Community and Sociological Challenges
The libertarian model challenges traditional sociology. While researchers like Durkheim or Bourdieu point to the primacy of institutions and structures, Woziński believes in normative apriorism. Even concepts seemingly at odds with radical individualism find a place here. Elinor Ostrom’s research proves that local communities can effectively manage common-pool resources without state coercion.
Similarly, Marcel Mauss’s gift theory, which describes social bonds based on reciprocity, can be integrated into this system. While property rights protect autonomy, the voluntary community completes the libertarian order as the fruit of free choice. Libertarianism does not exclude social relations; rather, it demands that they not result from top-down aggression.
Summary
Jakub Woziński’s concept makes the law resistant to the volatility of political doctrines and the whims of those in power. Basing the system on logic allows for the resolution of disputes without resorting to institutional violence. It respects individual dignity not as a privilege granted by the state, but as an inalienable attribute stemming from the very structure of human existence. In this vision, justice becomes an inviolable sanctuary, and authentic community can flourish only where freedom and the logical consistency of action serve as the foundation.
📄 Full analysis available in PDF