The Ultimate Philosophical, Social, Political Question!

[Y]

I had a friend from here call me the other day and while we were arguing about the same things we argue about here - and since the topic of 'authoritariansim' is being discussed on the board - there's was a point I've long made, that both answers and settles many divides.

It's a question, and the question is...

...do we own our self?

I'd appreciate it if everyone would answer that question and give their reasoning behind their answer.

[Purplelady1040]

Do we own our selves? I would like to say that I own what I do and don't do in life but the fact remains that I am owned by several factors in life. I am owned by family and friends who keep me grounded and show me love. I am even owned by those who don't like me because I allow them to dictate to me whether they make me angry or whether I just laugh at them and their stupidity.
Does that count as owning ourselves?

[The Troll]

  Whether you like or not and I don't, we have someone over us.   Your mother, father, your wife, the government, the cops.  Someone is over you and watching you.  But, it doesn't mean you can't deceive, run around the overseers and be a thorn in their sides.    

  Oh yes, god isn't one of the things you have to be afraid of, he just don't exist.     

[Palehorse]

No.

Since our lives consist mainly of time it is incumbent upon each one of us to decide how we spend each second of it. Or it should be.

Given that this planet insists upon each one of us paying for the things we consume, use, and dwell within and upon, that means we must come up with a means to pay for these things. (Even water in some locations including the one I currently reside within.)  And while many of you will point out farmers don't pay for the foods they raise, I will point out they still must pay the taxes on the land upon which they raise it.

To pay for these things we must work. Even if we "own" the business from which we realize our cash flow, we become enslaved to it; and spend the only real currency that matters to our lives, time, in obtaining money.

Most of us spend more of our "time" with those we work for/with, when compared to the portion of "time" we spend with family, friends, and those we love.

The average worker spends 2,300 hours each year at work; many more than that.
We spend 2,555 hours each year sleeping. (7 hours a day).
This leaves 3905 hours in each year; until you subtract the 260 hours out of each year we spend commuting to and from work, leaving 3645 hours of each year, or 42.13% of the average individual's life ("time") that they actually own.

So no.

[The Troll]

  Yep, that's the only reason I worked,"MONEY".  I worked all kind of hours for the MONEY.  So when I played, I PLAYED HARD!.    And also turned one of my boats over at full speed. 

[libby]

... thinkin' ....

[me]

I think so, in part anyway. We can kind of control our destiny but only if something, or someone, doesn't happen to throw a monkey wrench into things. I'm not even completely sure we even own our own minds, let alone our bodies, if you think about it. Seems like there's always something, or someone, changing what a person has planned for themselves so, no, I don't think we own ourselves. Of course, as with a lot of things, depends on what you are meaning by "own".

[The Troll]

I think so, in part anyway. We can kind of control our destiny but only if something, or someone, doesn't happen to throw a monkey wrench into things. I'm not even completely sure we even own our own minds, let alone our bodies, if you think about it. Seems like there's always something, or someone, changing what a person has planned for themselves so, no, I don't think we own ourselves. Of course, as with a lot of things, depends on what you are meaning by "own".

  I think the your mind is the only thing you might own.  When I started working for Ford Motor Co. I was on the assembly line.  The jobs of the assembly line was to place one part in a steering gear.  After the short time you didn't have to think about doing your job, it became automatic leaving your mind to do all the things it wanted to think about.   

  In one of my apprentice classes we had this old plumber teaching the class.  One day he said, you guys are learning a trade which can earn you a lot of money and you will be able to buy about anything you want.  But remember all the things you will possess are rented.  Rented for the time you live, for after you die you will become naked again owning nothing.  So use your money and time carefully and wisely.      

[Anne]

I think we own ourselves in respect as to how we choose to live and how we respond to those around us. We are all pretty much dependent on someone or something but not to the extent of being owned. Don't like your boss you are free to look for another job, might take awhile but they can't stop you.

[Palehorse]

I think we own ourselves in respect as to how we choose to live and how we respond to those around us. We are all pretty much dependent on someone or something but not to the extent of being owned. Don't like your boss you are free to look for another job, might take awhile but they can't stop you.

You are owned by your employer; no matter who it is. They own a VERY large chunk of your time and count upon your needing the income to motivate you to stay employed.

[Anne]

You are owned by your employer; no matter who it is. They own a VERY large chunk of your time and count upon your needing the income to motivate you to stay employed.

True, but you still, at least in this country, have the choice of who "owns" you. Part of the equation is our personal ambition. Are we satisfied with a modest income and comfortable life or do we aspire to a more lavish lifestyle. I know everyone wants to be safe and secure regarding their lifestyle (Maslows pyramid) but, imo, the more we want the more we are owned by our employers. Don't get me wrong, I certainly enjoy the nicer things in life. I do think sometimes we give up too much of ourselves for stuff.

[libby]

Do we own ourselves? We come into this world with our own unique DNA and personalities, which determine how we handle what life hands us.  Indoctrination begins at birth. From that point on, what we have learned is stored in our subconscious mind and affects how we feel, think, act and react. So, although others and circumstance may control much or all of our lives, how we think and feel belongs only to us. And, consciously or not, we make decisions that affect our lives. So I say yes, we own ourselves.

But what if a person is poor and crippled and lives on the street, or is otherwise totally dependent on the kindness of strangers? He/she can create a fantasy world in his/her mind. And in my opinion, that's why so many turn to religion.

 

[Henry Hawk]

This reminds me of some of the idiotic questions many companies ask during an interview.....such as, "What color best describes you?"

I think the bottom line is, NOBODY OWNS YOU unless you allow them too.  We all have choices to make.  FREE WILL.

Palehorse make a good observation by declaring an employer owns you. But, it is by choice.  Some people are self-employed.  I think it maters on what kind of lifestyle we decide we want.  What makes a person content with what they have or want in this life determines how much they are willing to compromise themselves at the stake of allowing one to control you.

[The Troll]

True, but you still, at least in this country, have the choice of who "owns" you. Part of the equation is our personal ambition. Are we satisfied with a modest income and comfortable life or do we aspire to a more lavish lifestyle. I know everyone wants to be safe and secure regarding their lifestyle (Maslows pyramid) but, imo, the more we want the more we are owned by our employers. Don't get me wrong, I certainly enjoy the nicer things in life. I do think sometimes we give up too much of ourselves for stuff.

  Sorry Anne, we do not have a choice of who "owns you".  If we did I would have not lived under George W. Bush for eight years.