The Autonomy of Creative Labor

Sor Juana composed poetry, plays, theological arguments, and philosophical works across decades, creating a body of intellectual labor that reflected her genius and effort. Yet she faced constant pressure to subordinate her writing to institutional purposes—to serve convent propaganda rather than her own inquiry. In libertarian justice, this struggle illuminates the principle that creative workers own their labor. The value Sor Juana created through her intellect and skill belonged to her, not to the Church or secular authorities who sought to control it. She could choose its form, content, and audience. This concept applies broadly: authors own their manuscripts, artists own their works, thinkers own their ideas. Coercing creative workers to produce under institutional directives—whether through censorship, confiscation, or demand for obedience—violates their property rights in their own effort and output. Libertarian justice protects the autonomy of creation itself.