Property and its Forms in Classical German Philosophy

The first comprehensive analysis of the key theories of property developed by the major figures in classical German philosophy.

David James (Author)

9781009288149, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 January 2023

214 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.7 cm, 0.46 kg

'David James brilliantly demonstrates that, beyond their controversies about economic systems, classic German philosophers share the same concept of property. It isn't primarily a relation between a person and a thing, but a system of mutual limitation of free spheres of action. This opens highly promising perspectives for the current debates on distributive justice.' Jean-Christophe Merle, University of Vechta/Universität des Saarlandes

The theme of property is directly relevant to some of the most divisive social and political issues today, such as wealth inequality and the question of whether governments should limit it by introducing measures that restrict the right to property. Yet what is property? And when seeking to answer this question, do we tend to identify the concept with just one dominant historical form of property? In this book, David James reconstructs the theories of property developed by four key figures in classical German philosophy - Kant, Fichte, Hegel and Marx. He argues that although their theories of property are different, the concept of social recognition plays a crucial role in all of them, and assesses these philosophers' arguments for the specific forms of property they claim should exist in a society that is genuinely committed to the idea of freedom.

Introduction: 1. The mystery of the right to property
2. The concept of property and forms of property
3. Property, freedom and enlightenment: Kant's Rechtslehre
4. Fichte on property and labour
5. Property and ethical life: Hegel's system of right
6. Equality, exchange value and individuality: Marx's critique of private property
Concluding remark
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Personal property law [LNSP], Intellectual property law [LNR], Politics & government [JP], Society & culture: general [JF], Society & social sciences [J], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Philosophy [HP]