I believe that owning something can apply to both material and non-material things. Owning something doesn't just mean to have something; it means that that something belongs to us, that it is a part of us. Ownership can apply to things that are not even visible. Feelings are just one example. Our feelings are ours, and ours alone, and we can claim ownership to them. Of course material objects can be owned. They can even give an idea to what else is owned by that person. However, owning something can go much deeper than that, and can be used to talk about ideas, characteristics, words, and actions, all of which are things that are owned by someone. For example, I own many books on history, especially ones about the World Wars. After reading those books, the knowledge inside those books is now mine, because it is a part of me, and part of what I remember. My love for reading those books is also owned by me, as it is a characteristic of mine. If I were to write a book of my own, that book and the words I wrote would be owned by me, the action of creating that book would be mine, and the ideas would be mine, even though they were unknowingly handed down to me by the authors of the books I previously read. …show more content…
Think of something you might have said to them that you later regretted. Those words were yours, because you thought them, put them into a sentence, and spoke them. Maybe instead of saying something to them you did something to them. That action is also yours, for the same reason. You own the steps leading up to the action; the process of thinking it through, the actual doing of the action, is all yours, and you own it. After that something was said or done, you probably apologized for what you did, which is known as, especially in more modern times, as "owning up to" something, meaning you take the responsibility and blame and admit that what you did was wrong, and that you feel bad about
Many people in the world have a fairly concrete idea of what it means to own something. However, this concrete idea is often quite limited in the sense that it only encompasses the ownership of objects. Yet, a large number of philosophers have extended the reach of the term ownership, in a way that it encompasses skills and knowing something thoroughly. When confronted with this idea, many great thinkers throughout history have had contradicting viewpoints. Several of these thinkers include Plato, Plato’s pupil Aristotle, and modern philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. All three of these brilliant philosophers had differing views of ownership. Plato argues that owning objects are detrimental to a person 's character, Aristotle claims that ownership
By observing people I know that if you own less you are more appreciative of things in life. Yet if you own more you desire more. Therefore you become a slave to your passions and lust, rather than an owner of your possessions.
It is one sad existence, to live and die, without discovering, what could have been. The question is often asked, what is the meaning of life? Or even, what is the purpose? There is no clear answer, and yet there is a search in every moment, every breath, and every corner, for a minute hint. In a societal setting, identity is merely determined by the amount of tangible things owned. Society places the ideology on individuals that those who own the most tangible things are above others. An individual can trump all those societal values by owning the self. This brings equality to all, and levels the playing field. This has been true throughout history, however behind all of this, there are individuals learning to conquer themselves. It begs the question, what defines a person, the physical or the metaphysical? There is obviously a compelling relationship between ownership and the sense of self or identity. But, is it ownership that determines the sense of self or is it perhaps, that the sense of self determines ownership. The
...f mines. My possessions are tied to memories and experiences I have gone through, and without them, I would not be how I am today.
As I read through the book I found myself agreeing with a lot of what the author had to say in his analysis. While I agreed with most of what the author had to say I am only going to discuss a couple of them here. The first aspect that the author spoke on that I am going to discuss is Ownership. While some people might think that owning nice or many things is wrong, it all depends on what you do with the things you own and how you u...
In order to decide whether the term "owning" helps develop your moral character, you must first figure out what owning something means to you. To me, "owning something" applies to not only the tangible, like a shirt, but also the intangible, like knowing something so well you own it, or even owning a behavior.
Ownership has long affected our sense of self and worth. It has changed with the times but still affects us the same way as before. The famous philosopher, Plato, thought that “owning objects is detrimental to a person's character”. By examining the different types of ownership and evidence from historical to contemporary society, ownership correlates with one’s sense of self by either improving or diminishing it.
Owners of real, intellectual and personal property each have the same rights under the law, whether it is a physical entity or a non-physical entity. “Ownership of real property is typically complicated than that of the personal or intellectual property since the law provides for different forms of ownership, which carry different rights (Roger, 2012). First, real property is regulated by federal and state statutes as well as common law. For example, a fee simple individual that has
Ownership and self (identity) are commonly joined together under one thought: ownership can very well define a person’s identity. I believe that is to be true. It is possible to own something physically whether that is a phone, a computer, a car etc., or something that simply exists within our minds such as a thought (idea), a concept or whatever it may be. However, “To own” – a verb – doesn’t necessarily mean to own or have something, it also means to know something or that it is a part of you or “admit or acknowledge that something is the case or that one feels a certain way”- Google. Affluential philosophers have argued the various ways of how to express ownership and possession that shows its universality on this well rounded topic. It’s claimed that it builds up moral character and denounced by its undesirable and detrimental effects – good or evil. It is, in fact, that ownership and its intricacy builds both and individual self-comprehension and group- identity.
According to Aristotle, ownership of tangible goods can help to develop one’s moral character. I agree with his philosophy. Owning an object or other goods helps one to discover certain virtues, such as responsibility or purpose in caring for what you own. All objects you own, you must acquire, either through purchasing or through gift. Depending on how you acquire the object, defines its value, either monetary or sentimental. These different values help to develop one’s sense of self, as one grows as a person and develops one’s moral character. By learning these important skills, such as responsibility and purpose, one has a better understanding of oneself.
Some of the most impoverished communities often have the greatest sense of gratitude and thankfulness for what they have, extending beyond material items. They are thankful for the friends, families, religions, as well as skills they obtain, and tend not to focus on the material items they are lacking. Ownership can be seen as the act, state, or right, of possessing something and is well defined by both Plato, who claims owning objects is detrimental to a person’s character, and Jean-Paul Sartre who proposes that ownership extends beyond objects. Skills and qualities that you posses are more valuable than tangible goods and allow you to fully develop a good, moral, character and sense of self. An example of someone who is lacking many tangible
The concept of self-ownership was developed when philosophers such as John Locke began contemplating about human rights. The concept states that individuals are entitled to and in control of their own bodies. This is significant because it means that no one should be a slave. “By nature we are free and independent beings, not subjected to parental authority or the divine rights of kings. Since we are by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and be subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.”(Right Thing To Do, pg. 214) Owning one’s body means that the person can do what he or she desires with their abilities and talents. “According to this argument, all citizens have a duty to serve their country.” (Right Thing to Do, pg.
regarded as being possessed by, or at the disposal of, a person or group of
One example of tangible property is the ownership and use of an automobile. If I hold the title to a car it is my car, and I have the right to let people borrow this automobile. I also retain the right to prevent someone from taking my car. Just as I have the right to share or prevent others from using my tangible property, I ought to have the right to share my intellectual property, my word, graphics, and sounds, with whom I choose. If I choose not to allow someone else to use these ideas, then that person will be violating my intellectual property rights.
I'm not usually an attached person when it comes to material things. All my life I've been moving in so many directions. I never had a steady home, so I lost a lot of things, sometimes not even realizing they're gone until months later. There are few objects that I really care about because they bring back memories and they make me happy. There are amazing things behind them. These objects tell stories and help identify who I am.