Single Idea 22773

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

Full Idea

All things can become the property of human beings, because the human being is free will, and exists in and for himself, whereas that which confronts him does not have this quality.

Gist of Idea

Because only human beings can own property, everything else can become our property

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 044 add)

Book Reference

Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right', ed/tr. Wood,Allen W. [CUP 1991], p.76


A Reaction

Note that the human 'is' free will, rather than 'has' free will. He explicitly includes animals. From a modern ecological view this is a sinister idea. The default position is that if you own something you can do whatever you like with it.