Single Idea 19878

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights]

Full Idea

How far has God given us all things 'to enjoy'? As much as any one can make use of to any advantage of his life before it spoils, so much he may by his labour fix a property in.

Gist of Idea

Mixing labour with a thing bestows ownership - as long as the thing is not wasted

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 031)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.131


A Reaction

This adds a very different value to Locke's theory, because the person seems to be answerable to fellow citizens if they harvest important resources and then waste them. Where do luxuries fit in?