Private Property, Competition and Human Nature

Posted by CarolSeer2014 10 years, 4 months ago to Philosophy
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Where do I start?
It is natural for humans to have a sense of some "things"--animal, vegetable, mineral, even ideas--as belonging to them. If that hadn't been the case, I assert, the species would not have evolved. That is, not survived. Even the celebrated Richard Dawkins was cognizant of this when he wrote his first book "The Selfish Gene." He was very young, though.
Anyway, without this sense of "mine" why would members of the species care for and protect these extensions of themselves?
My house, my wife, my child, my idea.
In another thread, someone mentioned that Indians may not have had a sense of "private property". As far as land is concerned, most tribes felt that land, like the sky, could not be owned, but I do believe they had a sense of property rights. "Take care. Take care of your homeplace, take care of your grandmother, take care of yourself" (Robbie Robinson.)
Ideas?


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  • Posted by jceockwood 10 years, 4 months ago
    If they had no sense of ownership or boundaries for the use of material things why would they have divided themselves into tribes? What boundaries do you set for others use of material things and the treatment of others? That defines your sense of ownership and private property.
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    • Posted by 10 years, 4 months ago
      Yes, I agree. From family to tribe to... But the land could not be owned, like the sky. The land was for all to walk across in freedom. In fact, I have a quote some where of an Indian chieftain, who gave good fortune to the American Revolutionaries, telling them he wished them well in their fight against the Great White Father across the water, so they might walk in freedom across the land.
      The word Frank, you know, also meant freemen. The Franks were one of the Germanic tribes who settled in France, were thought of as free, because they had not voluntarily tied themselves to a manor for safety and security.
      The Franks were able to walk in freedom across the land. Well, it's romantic, anyway, and has lessons for us all.
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      • Posted by jceockwood 10 years, 4 months ago
        Locally there was a section of the Walden Ridge Trail between Crab Orchard and Monterey, Tennessee controlled by native Americans. They charged a toll and a guide fee.If you didn't pay you might make it but be without all of your goods and some of your people.
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  • Posted by Solver 10 years, 4 months ago
    When I think of "private property,” I think of ownership. For example: which individuals own that teepee? Does anyone? If not, which individuals are responsible for maintaining it? Is anyone? Who can sleep in it? Can anyone? Which individuals made it? Did anyone? Yes! Some specific individual(s) did make it.
    I don't know how the these groups of Indians resolved these ownership issues.
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    • Posted by 10 years, 4 months ago
      Well, Robbie Robinson is a Native American--he seems to think some things at least were resolved. That is, if it's your teepee and your grandmother, you take care of it, not the chief's council!
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