In our Spotlight presentation on Monday, Dr. Andy Little argued that we live in a society fixated on property ownership. As a result, projects like the Cedar Creek Waterway will often lead to property rights disputes between the city and private individuals. He also stated, however, that our way of understanding property is not the only way. In other places and at other times, humans have understood the land in terms of use rather than ownership. Part of the conflict between Native Americans and European settlers, for example, pivoted on different understandings of the land. One group thought in terms of use, the other in terms of ownership.
In his 1754 essay, “On the Origin of the Inequality of Mankind,” Jean Jacques Rousseau decried private property as ultimately harmful to human society. He writes at the beginning of the second part of the essay:
The first man who, having enclosed a piece of ground, bethought himself of saying This is mine, and found people simple enough to believe him, was the real founder of civil society. From how many crimes, wars and murders, from how many horrors and misfortunes might not any one have saved mankind, by pulling up the stakes, or filling up the ditch, and crying to his fellows, “Beware of listening to this impostor; you are undone if you once forget that the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.”
Do you agree with Rousseau’s perspective? Why or why not? How do you think we should view the land?
BONUS: Can you find a philosopher contemporary with Rousseau (though a little earlier) who articulated a different understanding of private property? (Hint: his ideas were foundational for our own Declaration of Independence.)
2 responses to “The Philosophy of Private Property”
The information presented my Dr. Andy Little was very interesting to me because my family owns a Cedar Creek property. Personally I think the idea of a Cedar Creek walk way is extremely idealistic. Any Abilene resident can tell you that this creek connects two very diverse parts of our community. It is ridiculous to believe that these two parts of the community can coexist peacefully when connected by this walk way. Yes, the idea of the walk way is unique and has the potential to help the Abilene Community grow and improve. However, this walk way would increase crime by providing criminals direct access into the backyards of hardworking citizens. In addition, I strongly disagree with what Rousseau’s quote because I feel if someone works hard to buy land then that land should be theirs. No one should have to share personal property with the public or have the government tell them how to use their land. I do believe Rousseau’s idea would create a more peaceful society if it could be perfectly followed. But the sad truth is that it is human nature to have crime and disputes. There is no possible way to avoid that fact. I believe that if someone has worked hard for the land they own then that land is theirs and should in no way be taken from them. If someone else wants land then they can work hard and earn it also. I do believe that public parks allow for those people who can’t afford their own land to have access to the outdoors. These parks allow for use by everyone and in part follow Rousseau’s ideas. Other then these parks, I believe land is a very personal thing and should be kept that way.
I beleive the person who owns the land should decide what happens to it. Their land should not be taken away for some Cedar Creek project. If the land owner says no, then its a no. The Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights guarantee us our own land. The landowners should decide whether to give it up or not. That their right. We shouldnt annoy the landowners if they refuse to give up their land. Its their land. No one except the landowner has final say in what happens to his land.