The Idea of a Private Law Society Alone on his island, Robinson
Crusoe can do whatever he pleases. For him, the question
concerning rules of orderly human conduct — social cooperation —
simply does not arise. This question can only arise once a
second person, Friday, arrives on the island. Yet even then, the
question remains largely irrelevant so long as no scarcity
exists. Suppose the island is the Garden of Eden; all external
goods are available in superabundance. They are "free goods,"
just as the air that we breathe is normally a "free" good.
Whatever Crusoe does with these goods, his actions have no
repercussions — neither with respect to his own future supply of
such goods nor regarding the present or future supply of the
same goods for Friday (and vice versa). Hence, it is impossible
for there ever to be a conflict between Crusoe and Friday
concerning the use of such goods. A conflict is only possible if
goods are scarce. Only then will the need arise to formulate
rules that make orderly, conflict-free