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Full Idea
The right-wing conception of freedom is, I think, founded on the idea that each person is the morally rightful owner of himself, even if existing legal systems do not acknowledge it. Let us call that the 'self-ownership' thesis.
Gist of Idea
The right-wing conception of freedom is based on the idea of self-ownership
Source
G.A. Cohen (Are Freedom and Equality Compatible? [1986], 1)
Book Ref
'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Goodin,RE/Pettit,P [Blackwell 2006], p.416
A Reaction
He cites Nozick as articulating this view. At the end Cohen rejects self-ownership, though he agrees that no one would accept that the state could be the owner of your eyes. Do I own my hair after it is cut?
| 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] |
| 21736 | It is doubtful whether any private property was originally acquired legitimately [Cohen,GA] |
| 21735 | Every thing which is now private started out as unowned [Cohen,GA] |
| 21739 | Plenty of people have self-ownership, but still lack autonomy [Cohen,GA] |