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#1
12-01-2006, 05:32 PM
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Property Rights
From where do ACists believe the right to own private property comes? And before you tell me to google, read mises, or listen to your podcasts, I've done that. I'm asking because I want to know the specific, personal beliefs of the ACists on this board.
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#2
12-01-2006, 05:47 PM
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Re: Property Rights
I'm pretty close to AC, my answer: Human nature. Humans desire to own property exclusively, to be able to rely on utilizing it in the future without having it stolen, etc. Humans also differ from the animal kingdom in their awareness of the other: That fellow humans are self-aware beings like ourselves (this is an extension or supplement to our own self-awareness). From this second premise is derived the Golden Rule, which I believe is the most important principle in human interaction. From this is derived respect for others' property. I believe these are engrained parts of human nature, and they are enhanced by culture more in some regions than in others.
Someone might tear this apart and say "well humans desire ponies too, why isn't that a right?" The innate desire to be fair to fellow humans is not an override for practicality, self-interest, or apathy, rather these are all guiding principles of individual decision-making (among others). Respecting others' property rights is easy, fair, reciprocal, and beneficial.
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#3
12-01-2006, 05:52 PM
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Re: Property Rights
Some have a moral belief, others a utilitarian one.
I lean toward the latter. "Rights," if they are to have any meaningful existence, are nothing more than social constructs. Property is a social construct that incentivizes productivity and well-being, and disincentivises aggression and harm. The reason I believe it works so well is because it fits perfectly with people's naturally selfish and greedy drives, such that their self-serving actions create mutual benefit, rather than exclusive benefit. As for their origins, I believe they evolved much like the tit-for-tat behavior that Dawkins describes in animals. The value of such a norm can be logically derived as well, which is where I get it from.
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#4
12-01-2006, 05:53 PM
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Re: Property Rights
Not an ACist, but...
self-ownership.
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#6
12-01-2006, 06:17 PM
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Re: Property Rights
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] Not an ACist, but... self-ownership. [/ QUOTE ] Can you elaborate? [/ QUOTE ] I should be able to control my own body without infringing on others.
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#7
12-01-2006, 06:18 PM
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Re: Property Rights
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Not an ACist, but... self-ownership. [/ QUOTE ] Can you elaborate? [/ QUOTE ] I should be able to control my own body without infringing on others. [/ QUOTE ] That's what I thought you were refering to. But can you elaborate upon how, then, that gives you the right to own a plot of land?
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#8
12-01-2006, 06:20 PM
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Re: Property Rights
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Not an ACist, but... self-ownership. [/ QUOTE ] Can you elaborate? [/ QUOTE ] I should be able to control my own body without infringing on others. [/ QUOTE ] That's what I thought you were refering to. But can you elaborate upon how, then, that gives you the right to own a plot of land? [/ QUOTE ] I think it goes like this: You own your body. By extension you own your labor. By exchange you own your wages, profits, and whatever you exchange those for.
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#9
12-01-2006, 06:21 PM
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Re: Property Rights
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Not an ACist, but... self-ownership. [/ QUOTE ] Can you elaborate? [/ QUOTE ] I should be able to control my own body without infringing on others. [/ QUOTE ] That's what I thought you were refering to. But can you elaborate upon how, then, that gives you the right to own a plot of land? [/ QUOTE ] Presummably he used his body (and mind) to create something of value to someone else and traded it to that person in return for something that Tom valued, in this case, a plot of land.
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#10
12-01-2006, 06:24 PM
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Re: Property Rights
[ QUOTE ]
That's what I thought you were refering to. But can you elaborate upon how, then, that gives you the right to own a plot of land? [/ QUOTE ] Because you paid for it, and society recognizes you as the owner.
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