Justice :: essays research papers

JusticeShould the strong be required to support the weak? How does society "distribute"wealth among its members? These are the questions. there are three basic sidesto this issue. The permissive system entitles individuals to a subsistenceincome supply for existing as a human. The puritan system requires that peopleat least be willing to contribute to society in order to receive a subsistenceincome. Finally, the Individual view holds the property rights of the individualto be sacred no one may forcibly deprive him of his goods. I will argue for thelast alternative.Individualism is an extension of Lockes idea of property rights. AnIndividualist believes each individual owns his own life, the fruits of his labor,and his property. No one may deprive him of these property rights. He is free toact as long as his actions do not step in with the property rights of others.At this point it is important to define what money is. Money is an trade ofvalue. Money has value because it represent labor, or value, one has created butnot yet used. Money in my pocket is what I have created but not yet consumed.Money is not a natural resource it does not grow on trees. Men can make moneyby their physical or mental labor. Do I not, then, have full birdsong to myearnings?If A discovers a cure for AIDS it surely was not solely a product of A.Societys framework made the discovery possible A had to build on previousknowledge she had to use a laboratory she probably did not own. All of thesefactors make society a partner in the discovery. Therefore, she does not havethe right to all of the benefits of her discovery she must give up some of herbenefits to society at large.It is true that A did not in person create every piece of equipment she used tomake the discovery however, the point missed by in this situation is thatproperty is held by individuals, and A had to exchange value in the form ofmoney to buy or rent the equipment she used. The owners have already been paidfo r the use of their equipment. Business agreements occur between individualsthere is no entity, "society," that handed her a gift. If A were to have to paymore to "society," then she would, in effect, be paying twice.If a permissivist responds with "but she will motor rich selling the cure for ahigh price while thousands are dying," there are basically two responses.