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Single Idea 21102

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

Full Idea

Reason tells us that there is no property in durable objects, such as land or houses, when carefully examined in passing from hand to hand, but must, in some period, have been founded on fraud and injustice.

Gist of Idea

We all know that the history of property is founded on injustices

Source

David Hume (Of the original contract [1741], p.288)

Book Ref

Hume,David: 'Selected Essays' [OUP 1996], p.288


A Reaction

A prime objection to Nozick, who fantasises about an initial position of just ownership, which can then be the subject of just contracts. In 1866 thousands of white people were granted land in the USA, but not a single black freed slave got anything.


The 7 ideas from 'Of the original contract'

People must have agreed to authority, because they are naturally equal, prior to education [Hume]
The idea that society rests on consent or promises undermines obedience [Hume]
We no more give 'tacit assent' to the state than a passenger carried on board a ship while asleep [Hume]
Poor people lack the knowledge or wealth to move to a different state [Hume]
The people would be amazed to learn that government arises from their consent [Hume]
We all know that the history of property is founded on injustices [Hume]
Moral questions can only be decided by common opinion [Hume]