There can be no criminal intent in resisting injustice

There can be no criminal intent in resisting injustice

Lysander Spooner was a 19th-century American individualist anarchist, political philosopher, and abolitionist who believed in the inherent right of individuals to resist injustice. He argued that individuals have the right to defend themselves against unjust laws and government actions, even if it means breaking the law. Spooner believed that there can be no criminal intent in resisting injustice, as individuals have a moral duty to stand up against oppression and tyranny.

Spooner's belief in the right to resist injustice was rooted in his belief in natural law and individual rights. He argued that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property against aggression, whether it comes from the government or other individuals. Spooner believed that individuals have the right to use force to protect themselves and their rights, even if it means breaking the law.

In Spooner's view, the government is not always a legitimate authority and individuals have the right to resist unjust laws and government actions. He believed that individuals have a duty to disobey unjust laws and to resist government tyranny. Spooner famously argued that "vices are not crimes" and that individuals should not be punished for actions that do not harm others.

Spooner's ideas on resistance to injustice have had a lasting impact on political philosophy and have inspired generations of activists and thinkers. His belief in the right to resist injustice has been used to justify civil disobedience, nonviolent protest, and other forms of resistance against unjust laws and government actions.