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Originally Posted by DChristopher  I've done nothing to benefit society, that I should be granted the rock on merit, so your aspect #2 is out. OTOH, I would prefer that society agree with me that the rock is mine (or at least, mostly mine), without the threat of violence in order to keep it. IOW, I don't want to default to your #1, the threat of biting.
The fact is, I paid for the rock in time and effort and risk. Shouldn't a fair society agree to honor that, to some extent? |
That's a good point. Maybe this should fall more under #2, but I should remove the idea that it needs to benefit society (I'm a little unsure about this myself).
I think that the rock is yours, based on your talents and hard work. I wouldn't challenge your claim to it.
Perhaps though there is a benefit to society. We would want to reward that kind of virtue. I mean, I'm not rewarding the rock itself, but your behavior that led to the acquisition ... a hard work ethic.
Alternately, if you kill a person and take their rock, it might also involve the same amount of time, effort and risk, but would lack the societal reward (the police come and bite your leg, forcibly taking ownership
).
I'm not sure... you raise a good point.