The dillema might be solved if we assume Pat had insurance for such a
treasure. Pat might come out ahead (like in the movie "Trading Places"
where Eddie Murphy's character broke a Ming Vase and the insurance
replacement cost was more than it's value at the time of purchase).

Martin

>From: mira <mirah@...>
>Reply-To: thomasszaszdiscussion@yahoogroups.com
>To: thomasszaszdiscussion@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [ThomasSzaszDiscussion] Reason Magazine Article: Prozac
>Justice
>Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 15:23:44 +0200
>
>You know, libertarians have given a lot of thought to what is freedom,
>but what is responsibility? Responsibility is not identical to fault.
>Fault is a moral concept, like vice. Responsibility is a social concept,
>it's about how people get along with each other. Let me try to
>illustrate my point with an example:
>
>Suppose Pat invites Lee to tea. As Lee walks in, s/he is overwhelmed by
>the need to sneeze, possibly because Pat doesn't dust very often. While
>convulsively sneezing, Lee accidentally knocks down Pat's antique Ming
>Dynasty vase.
>
>Who is responsible? Surely Lee could not help sneezing, nor was Lee
>trespassing. Furthermore, Pat ought to dust more often, and should not
>put the vase where it can be easily knocked over. On the other hand, if
>Lee is so sensitive to dust, s/he should wear a face mask, and the vase
>had been standing in the same place for 30 years without getting knocked
>over (that's why it was so dusy), so Pat could not forsee that Lee would
>knock it over.
>
>If I were Lee, I would feel responsible, and offer to pay for the vase,
>within the limits of my ability. If I were Pat, I would refuse payment,
>considering the broken vase a part of the cost of being Lee's hostess.
>But what would I think if I were neither Pat nor Lee, but the state?
>
>Mira
>
>
>