Education as Libertarian Right and Resource

Sor Juana taught herself theology, philosophy, mathematics, and languages—often forbidden to women—by gaining access to her family's library and through relentless self-education. She argued that knowledge should not be the monopoly of clergy or universities but the inheritance of any mind willing to pursue it. In libertarian terms, education is not charity dispensed by institutions but a right rooted in freedom of inquiry and association. When authorities restrict who may learn what, they directly limit people's ability to think independently, advocate for themselves, and manage their own property and affairs. Sor Juana's example shows that libertarian justice requires removing barriers to education—not mandating government schooling, but refusing to prohibit or punish people for seeking knowledge. Her theft of study time and intellectual resources models the practice of claiming educational freedom despite institutional opposition. For modern libertarian thinking, this means defending people's right to teach and learn freely, to share knowledge without licensing, and to expand their capacities without state permission.