Intellectual Property as Self-Ownership

Sor Juana's prolific writing, theological argumentation, and scientific inquiry exemplify how intellectual labor constitutes self-expression and identity. In libertarian justice, this principle asserts that one's thoughts, compositions, and discoveries are inseparable from one's personhood. When a person creates—whether poetry, philosophy, or scholarship—they exert dominion over their own rational faculties. Denying intellectual ownership denies the creator's fundamental right to direct their own mind. Sor Juana's defense of her right to study and publish, despite institutional pressure, illustrates how intellectual freedom undergirds personal autonomy. This concept challenges forced appropriation of ideas and honors the creator's natural claim to their work's fruits, making intellectual property protection essential to libertarian justice rather than a mere commercial convenience.