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RE: I'm An Anarchist, I Don't Own Myself

in #anarchism8 years ago (edited)

Property is just a thing that belongs to someone. It implies rights, that others cannot violate.

Do you agree that that we are material things? We are, by the definitions of those words. Do you agree that we have the rights implied by the word "property" (to use it as you see fit, and that others generally do not have the right to seize or damage your property, and this applies to yourself as well)?

I personally am unconcerned if the word seems 'dehumanising' as long as the meaning fits and it is practically useful and true to see ourselves as our own property.

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It's not useful to consider ourselves property. The only value it has is in creating a category of thing which it is possible to use as the basis for violence. I will agree that nobody has the right to seize or damage me, but when you use that to create an abstraction and arbitrarily apply it to external objects, that is when we have a problem. There is no point in creating this abstraction except to justify coercive force.

If someone else violates your body, do you feel justified defending yourself with violence, if necessary?

If someone breaks into your home and steals your TV and computer and Iphone, do you feel justified using violence against them, to defend your property?

If you do, tell me again, how is this different than, owning your body, house and stuff in it, as private property?

When exactly do you think property rights become "justification of coercive force"?

It's hard to define, but at the very least the means of production should be commonly held.

You avoided all of his questions and went right to "muh means of production."

Since you did not contradict the definitions, can I take it then that if someone were to give you one single useful application of viewing ourselves as property (other than for the purpose of coercion), that you would change your mind?

I really have no idea.

"when you use that to create an abstraction and arbitrarily apply it to external objects, that is when we have a problem"
Property rights are not arbitrary. There are things like, homestading principle, trade, inheritance etc...