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Single Idea 21736

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

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?

The 5 ideas from 'Are Freedom and Equality Compatible?'

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]