more on this theme | more from this text
Full Idea
It is easy to doubt that much actually existing private property was formed in what anyone could think was a legitimating way.
Gist of Idea
It is doubtful whether any private property was originally acquired legitimately
Source
G.A. Cohen (Are Freedom and Equality Compatible? [1986], 2)
Book Ref
'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Goodin,RE/Pettit,P [Blackwell 2006], p.418
A Reaction
What if I created an artificial island out of unwanted raw materials? What about the first humans to reach some remote territory?
21733 | The right-wing conception of freedom is based on the idea of self-ownership [Cohen,GA] |
21734 | It is plausible that no one has an initial right to own land and natural resources [Cohen,GA] |
21735 | Every thing which is now private started out as unowned [Cohen,GA] |
21736 | It is doubtful whether any private property was originally acquired legitimately [Cohen,GA] |
21739 | Plenty of people have self-ownership, but still lack autonomy [Cohen,GA] |