Property and Human Flourishing

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, Property, Jurisprudence, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Property and Human Flourishing by Gregory S. Alexander, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gregory S. Alexander ISBN: 9780190860769
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: February 26, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Gregory S. Alexander
ISBN: 9780190860769
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: February 26, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Many people assume that what morally justifies private ownership of property is either individual freedom or social welfare, defined in terms of maximizing personal preference-satisfaction. This book offers an alternative way of understanding the moral underpinning of private ownership of property. Rather than identifying any single moral value, this book argues that human flourishing, understood as morally pluralistic and objective, is property's moral foundation. The book goes on to develop a theory that connects ownership and human flourishing with obligations. Owners have obligations to members of the communities that enabled the owners to live flourishing lives by cultivating in their community members certain capabilities that are essential to leading a well-lived life. These obligations are rooted in the interdependence that exists between owners and their community members, and inherent in the human condition. Obligations have always been inherent in ownership. Owners are not free to inflict nuisances upon their neighbors, for example, by operating piggeries in residential neighborhoods. The human flourishing theory explains why owners at times have obligations that enable their fellow community members to develop certain necessary capabilities, such as health care and security. This is why, for example, farm owners may be required to allow providers of health care and legal assistance to enter their property to assist employees who are migrant workers. Moving from the abstract and theoretical to the practical, this book considers implications for a wide variety of property issues of importance both in the literature and in modern society. These include questions such as: When is a government's expropriation of property legitimated for the reason it is for public use? May the owner of a historic or architecturally significant house destroy it without restriction? Do institutions that owned African slaves or otherwise profited from the slave trade owe any obligations to members of the African-American community? What insights may be gained from the human flourishing concept into resolving current housing problems like homelessness, eviction, and mortgage foreclosure?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Many people assume that what morally justifies private ownership of property is either individual freedom or social welfare, defined in terms of maximizing personal preference-satisfaction. This book offers an alternative way of understanding the moral underpinning of private ownership of property. Rather than identifying any single moral value, this book argues that human flourishing, understood as morally pluralistic and objective, is property's moral foundation. The book goes on to develop a theory that connects ownership and human flourishing with obligations. Owners have obligations to members of the communities that enabled the owners to live flourishing lives by cultivating in their community members certain capabilities that are essential to leading a well-lived life. These obligations are rooted in the interdependence that exists between owners and their community members, and inherent in the human condition. Obligations have always been inherent in ownership. Owners are not free to inflict nuisances upon their neighbors, for example, by operating piggeries in residential neighborhoods. The human flourishing theory explains why owners at times have obligations that enable their fellow community members to develop certain necessary capabilities, such as health care and security. This is why, for example, farm owners may be required to allow providers of health care and legal assistance to enter their property to assist employees who are migrant workers. Moving from the abstract and theoretical to the practical, this book considers implications for a wide variety of property issues of importance both in the literature and in modern society. These include questions such as: When is a government's expropriation of property legitimated for the reason it is for public use? May the owner of a historic or architecturally significant house destroy it without restriction? Do institutions that owned African slaves or otherwise profited from the slave trade owe any obligations to members of the African-American community? What insights may be gained from the human flourishing concept into resolving current housing problems like homelessness, eviction, and mortgage foreclosure?

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Belief: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book Music as Discourse by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book First Martyr of Liberty by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book Understanding Child Maltreatment by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Practice of Emergency and Critical Care Neurology by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Euro Crisis and Its Aftermath by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book Postmodern Perspectives on Contemporary Counseling Issues by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Long Tomorrow by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book Freedom Without Violence by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Puzzle of Peace by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Skull of Australopithecus afarensis by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Language and Society by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book The Beauty of the Primitive by Gregory S. Alexander
Cover of the book Her Share of the Blessings by Gregory S. Alexander
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy