Full Idea
It is standardly said that we need the right to property as an essential underpinning of life, but this is patently not true. …In reality it is actually seen as an essential part of a life of independence.
Gist of Idea
Property is not essential for life, but it may be essential for independence
Source
Charles Taylor (Atomism [1979], p.41)
Book Reference
'Communitarianism and Individualism', ed/tr. Avineri,S. /de-Shalit,A. [OUP 1992], p.41
A Reaction
Hence it has a high value for liberals, for whom an independent life is the prime social aspiration. The law of trespass will define the degree of independence provided by property.