The Right to Refuse Obedience

Sor Juana's refusal to abandon her studies despite ecclesiastical pressure demonstrates the foundational right to disobey unjust authority. Libertarian justice rests on the premise that no institution—church, crown, or family—holds absolute command over conscience or action. When authorities demand conformity that contradicts reason, justice, or self-respect, resistance becomes not rebellion but legitimate self-defense. Sor Juana's "Response to Sor Filotea" articulates this principle: she acknowledges obedience to lawful authority while asserting her right to pursue knowledge. This concept protects freedom by establishing that property in one's own person includes property in one's choices. Refusal to obey unlawful or immoral commands preserves both individual dignity and the boundaries that prevent tyranny from expanding unchecked.