Utilitarian Theory Of Property Essay

Jennifer O'Brien
Theories of Property

Response Paper Meeting 3

Utilitarian theory of property whole persuasive and relevant, leaves many unanswered questions and seems to address only one side of maximizing the utility of property. The idea behind the utilitarian property theory that property should be owned to maximize utility is an idea that a rational person would have a difficult time to disagree with. In society today, where there is a strong sense of moral justice and the immoral actors are condemned, the idea that property is owned privately because it is the most efficient for all seems to fit into stereotypical thinking. In a way, this theory also allows people to feel good about themselves when property longer available to the commons because it can be seen as in the best interest of society. Indeed, this theory is highly relevant because we can see it evidenced in actions by the American government today. In eminent domain,

If people are going to use their property to drain scarce resources and not use the property to its potential and the costs of this internalization are high, why is there not a mechanism in this property theory to take property away if a person is abusing this? If a person is abusing their child or their pet, we do not hesitate to take the child or animal away, so if we belief that property should be used to its great utility why cannot this be used to justify taking land away. If utilitarians truly believe that land should be used to its greatest utility it should be taken and given back to the commons and regulated from there when utility calls for it. So if the government can exercise eminent domain for public benefit, is not saving resources and utility in the public interest and therefore people should be forced to forfeit property that utility declares would be better in the hands of the