Property, Dr. Raymond Frey
Property, Dr. Raymond Frey
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Property

Author: Dr. Raymond Frey

Narrator: Cliff Robertson and Robert Guillaume

Unabridged: 3 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/19/2006

Categories: Nonfiction, History


Synopsis

Property fundamentally marks how we as individuals are related both to other individuals and to society at large. In its strongest form, property absolutely excludes others from possessing, using, or in any way controlling what we own. However, others have insisted that basic human necessity (e.g. hunger) may overrule the power of individual property. The English philosopher John Locke offered a theory of property against which all others have since been measured. Locke said that personal property is a natural right, given by God. One line of his argument emphasizes the human need for selfpreservation; here property rights are seen as a necessary instrument for peacefully distributing natures bounty. Second (and more famously), Locke defends the earliest formation of property in a series of four steps: (1) every person owns his or her self and capacity to work (i.e. his or her labor); (2) by mixing what one owns (labor) with natures common property, we make other things our own; (3) the consent of others is irrelevant to this process of securing property, and (4) as much and as good of natures bounty must be left for others. Locke says that in later (modern) conditions of scarcity, money allows property to be accumulated without spoilageand therefore without harm to others. Property owners have a right to bestow or bequeath what they own. If all acquisitions and transfers of property have been just, then unequal accumulations of wealth are not immoral. David Hume criticized Locke, insisting that property is not a natural right but rather a social convention that reflects selfinterest and the desire to protect what we own. Jeremy Dentham insisted that only government (rather than society in general) can bestow property rights. Property ultimately involves personal control and security, as often opposed to other individual interests and to the overall interest or advantage of society. This tension is seen in issues like slavery, abortion, euthanasia, organ donation, government regulation, taxation, the power of eminent domain, welfare, and a variety of coercive social programs.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Gilbert on December 14, 2021

Here’s an excellent account of the development of the notion of property starting with John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and David Hume just before the Enlightenment and continuing through Marx into modern times. Without taking sides, Frey discusses the arguments for and against private property and when o......more

Goodreads review by AttackGirl on February 18, 2021

Where is the boundary? How long should I pay tax on the 10x12 concrete pad that was there before I bought the house and now 20 years later I am still paying tax on that pad. So why would property owners improve the land their property if they will for their life and the life of their offspring pay a......more

Goodreads review by Derek on September 05, 2021

So interesting. The biggest take away was the difference between I believe Locke's view and... forget the other guy's name. One believed in natural law and government recognized rights, while the other believed more that government dictated what rights were. It's also fascinating how fiat currency c......more

Goodreads review by Alex on January 31, 2022

I liked this summary a lot because the author did a contrast and compare narrative. It was helpful and generally fair. Unfortunately, like most philosophical subjects, it leaves any conclusions as an exercise for the listener, but the authors gave enough information that if might be possible for mos......more