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Essays On The History Theory And Rhetoric Of Ownership

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Property And Persuasion: Essays On The History, Theory, And Rhetoric Of Ownership

by Carol M Rose

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2875 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	317 pages

This book explores the history, theory, and rhetoric of ownership, examining how the concept of ownership has shaped human societies and how it has been used to justify inequality and oppression.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part provides a historical overview of the concept of ownership, from its origins in ancient Greece and Rome to its development in the modern world. The second part examines the different theories of ownership that have been proposed by philosophers and economists, including natural rights theories, labor theories, and social contract theories. The third part analyzes the rhetoric of ownership, examining how the concept of ownership is used to justify inequality and oppression.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history, theory, or rhetoric of ownership. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topic and offers a unique perspective on the ways in which ownership has shaped human societies.

Part One: The History of Ownership
Part Two: The Theories of Ownership
Part Three: The Rhetoric of Ownership

Part One: The History of Ownership

The concept of ownership has a long and complex history. The earliest known forms of ownership can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where the concept of private property was first developed. In ancient Greece, the concept of ownership was based on the idea that individuals had a natural right to own property. This idea was later adopted by the Romans, who developed a more sophisticated concept of ownership that included the idea of usufruct, or the right to use and enjoy property.

The concept of ownership continued to develop in the Middle Ages, when the feudal system emerged. Under the feudal system, land was owned by the lord, and peasants had the right to use the land in exchange for providing labor and other services. The feudal system eventually gave way to the capitalist system, which is based on the idea that individuals have the right to own property and to use it to generate profit.

The concept of ownership has been used to justify a wide range of social and economic inequalities. In the United States, for example, the concept of ownership has been used to justify the dispossession of Native Americans and the enslavement of African Americans. In other parts of the world, the concept of ownership has been used to justify colonialism and imperialism.

Part Two: The Theories of Ownership

There are a number of different theories of ownership that have been proposed by philosophers and economists. These theories can be divided into three main categories: natural rights theories, labor theories, and social contract theories.

Natural rights theories argue that individuals have a natural right to own property. This right is based on the idea that individuals are rational beings who have the capacity to own and use property. Natural rights theories have been defended by a number of philosophers, including John Locke and Immanuel Kant.

Labor theories argue that individuals have a right to own the fruits of their own labor. This right is based on the idea that individuals have a moral claim to the products of their own labor. Labor theories have been defended by a number of economists, including Karl Marx and Adam Smith.

Social contract theories argue that individuals have a right to own property because they have agreed to live in a society that protects the right to property. This right is based on the idea that individuals have a moral obligation to abide by the laws of the society in which they live. Social contract theories have been defended by a number of philosophers, including John Rawls and Robert Nozick.

Part Three: The Rhetoric of Ownership

The concept of ownership is often used to justify inequality and oppression. This is because the concept of ownership can be used to create a sense of entitlement and to exclude others from access to resources. The rhetoric of ownership can be used to justify a wide range of social and economic policies, including: