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.
. It is impossible for any living organism to survive without owning anything. From insects to mankind, owning some sort of property, whether tangible or intangible, is our way of surviving. As the most complex of all living organisms, our expression and demands towards property and ownership vary numerously (LeFevre 1). In the “American Dream”, one of the main ideals is to be able to own a home or land. In August 2013, President Obama addresses the issues of modern economy and kick starts a new housing finance system. “Thanks to reforms of the financial system that cracked down on the most reckless practices that led to the housing crisis, responsible Americans can feel more confident and secure when they borrow money to purchase their own home” (Donovan). However, the mistake that many people make is seeing property as their home or land as itself and nothing more. What humans fail to acknowledge is that it is not just the property or object itself, it is the relationship that we attach ourselves to that object, “Property viewed as the object or objects of man's drive to own, is of far less importance than the drive itself” (LeFevre 2). Before being able to own property, the desire to strive and longingly want to own property must be prominent. Without it, no one would have the desire to own or even care to own anyth...
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...wledge the fact that no one is capable of owning them except themselves. Being able to know that you are the only person who is capable of making decisions for yourself is the only way to develop a true sense of self awareness.
Works Cited
Cooper, Mark N. Media Ownership and Democracy in the Digital Information Age: Promoting
Diversity with First Amendment Principles and Market Structure Analysis. California: Center for Internet & Society, Stanford Law School, 2003. Print.
Donovan, Shaun. “Promoting the American Dream of Homeownership” The White House.
The White House, 6 Aug. 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. .
LeFevre, Robert. The Philosophy of Ownership. Colorado: Rampart College, 1966. Print.
Locke, John. The Second Treatise on Civil Government. New York: Prometheus Books, 1986.
Print.
In the essay “The Mansion: A Subprime Parable,” Michael Lewis unfolds the real face of the American dream. He talks about his own personal experience in his look out for a house and his struggle with the house he rented. Most Americans have bought houses they cannot afford. Banks offered loans, they have lent mortgages that many don't have enough financial resources to pay them back. Agents have falsely guaranteed that real estate prices will be in constant rise, they promised them that there will be no declination in prices.
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
But in neighborhoods like East Boston and South Boston, rents and real estate values are rising so fast they're dramatically speeding up the natural order of things,¨ this means that in sooner rather than later people will start to lose their homes, while some have already lost them. The author interviewed one of the resident couples who live in east Boston. When the couple were approached by a “Salesman” who offered them 1.2 Million dollars for their home, the man never actually bothered to see what the house looked like, all they wanted was the space, but they had and don't have an intention of leaving anytime soon from east Boston. This comes to show how much one home can mean to one family. Many of us would jump in a heartbeat for 1.2 million dollars, but not
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
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.
What is the relationship between ownership and self identity/development? This is a extremely complicated question. There are many theories trying to answer this question, such as, Plato 's claim the "owning objects is detrimental to a person 's character", whereas Aristotle argues that "ownership of tangible goods helps to develop moral character." To answer this question we must first ask, what is ownership? If this question is asked to friends, relatives, even strangers, we will receive many similar answers to this question. People will say something along the lines of, "the possession of an object" or "to be in control of something". However, we must then dive deeper into the question and ask ourselves, can we really possess an object if it can be taken
Ownership is the act, state, or right of possessing something. Many people believe taking ownership is parallel to taking responsibility. In some cases, taking responsibility can be rewarding, but in other cases, it can be very self centered. According to Aristotle, ownership of tangible objects leads to develop moral character, even though it is not stated whether those morals are good or bad. Plato exaggerates how disparaging ownership can be to one's character and life. The affect ownership obtains on moral character is intensely detrimental.
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.
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.
Ownership: the possession of a physical object. Ownership: the possession of an idea. The concept of ownership is held to different interpretations depending on the individual and their connection to their sense of self. Take love as an example, this ownership of a feeling may exist as a form of a person. Nevertheless, it is still plausible to assert that a physical object may make one truly feel able and apt to understand one’s self. Ultimately, self-identity relies on a representation of oneself. Objects provide a signification of oneself, but is dependent on an intangible idea that follows it; the longer you own something, the more you value what you achieve, unless you do not realize it, then it becomes useless.
Buying and owning your home is part of the American dream. Although the dream itself has since changed, the home still remains the main focal point. Today owning a home doesn’t necessarily mean a house. People now buy duplexes, cooperative apartments, and condominiums. For some families it could take up to a couple of generations before it’s able to have the capabilities of buying a home. To many people it means a certain achievement that only comes after years of hard work. It is a life altering decision and one of the most important someone can make in their lifetime. The reasons behind the actual purchase could vary. Before anything is done, people must understand that it’s an extraneous process and it is a long term project.
One’s personal possessions usually have value to them because they are something that a person can truly claim as his or her own. The most desirable and most valuable possession would naturally be love. With love some, but not all, desire material possessions. Last, everyone desires security to complete the last piece of the puzzle.
How does one create the “self”? How do we form as individuals? Whether a person is male or female, white or black, rich or poor, tall or short, pretty or ugly, fat or skinny, the most important factor is the development of the “self”. The self refers to the unique set of traits, behaviors, and attitudes that distinguishes one person from another (Newman 283). To distinguish between oneself from others, one must be able to recognize their unique traits and characteristics. One must be able to differentiate between one’s own physical appearance and another’s. There are many components such as gender, race, ethnicity, and social class, which shape and influence our values, beliefs, and impression of life. Understanding the difference between sex and gender allows one to grow into their own masculinity and femininity. Recognizing the history of one’s past in regard to their ethnic backgrounds and struggle will shape the development on one’s self. Having the luxury of money and power will affect the self and the way that one appreciates the value of the dollar or lack thereof. One of the most important factors may be one’s physical features which will eventually influence one’s self-confidence and affect the self as a whole. Once an individual has acknowledged the traits of their “self”, they’re in control of either maintaining their self, or changing their self to satisfy their standards.