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.
The first comprehensive analysis of the key theories of property developed by the major figures in classical German philosophy.
David James is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Warwick. His previous publications include Rousseau and German Idealism: Freedom, Dependence and Necessity (Cambridge, 2013), and Practical Necessity, Freedom, and History: From Hobbes to Marx (2021).
'Property and its Forms in Classical German Philosophy challenges
the liberal, 'pre-political' conception of private property
stemming from John Locke that is familiar and standard in
contemporary political philosophy. The book examines and
defends four alternative, powerful accounts of property-from Kant,
Fichte, Hegel, and Marx-that have a social component to what is
mine and thine. James's thorough, learned discussion
contributes not only to our understanding of German political
thought but also to fundamental inquiries into the nature and basis
of modern liberal capitalism.' Jeffrey Church, University of
Houston
'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
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
