Single Idea 20541

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

Full Idea

Ownership is a complicated idea. I have a right to the office photocopier, but I can's sell the right to others. If people have absolute rights over what they produce, why can't parents sell their children into slavery?

Gist of Idea

You can't necessarily sell your legitimate right to something, even if you produced it

Source

Adam Swift (Political Philosophy (3rd ed) [2014], 1 'Nozick')

Book Reference

Swift,Adam: 'Political Philosophy (3rd edn)' [Polity 2014], p.38


A Reaction

If I make a car from stolen parts, does constructing it make it mine? Etc. Do birds own their nests? Swift goes on to ask if we 'own' our bodies.