selfownership

Self-ownership is the philosophical and political concept that individuals inherently own their own bodies and lives and thus have exclusive control over their actions, decisions, and the fruits of their labor. It is often presented as a natural-rights position that grounds personal autonomy and limits coercive interference by others or by the state.

In classical natural-law thought, particularly in the writings of John Locke, property emerges from an individual's labor applied to resources and, by extension, the person who does the labor is seen as the rightful owner of the resulting product. In modern libertarian theory, self-ownership is taken as a primary norm from which rights to liberty, contract, and private property derive. Robert Nozick argues that individuals have moral claims to their own bodies and to the products of their voluntary exchanges; a minimal state is legitimate only to enforce rights of self-ownership and liberty.

The concept emphasizes bodily autonomy and consent, underpinning arguments for freedom from coercion, as well as for voluntary exchange and private property. It is frequently invoked in debates over reproductive rights, medical decision-making, and the permissibility of coercive or paternalistic policies.

Critics challenge self-ownership as a sufficient account of justice, noting that it presupposes a just initial distribution of holdings and may inadequately address social inequality, power imbalances, or collective welfare. Feminist and communitarian critiques question whether self-ownership adequately captures relational autonomy and structural constraints. Some argue that unfettered self-ownership could legitimize exploitation if not tempered by justice or social responsibilities.

The term continues to be debated in political philosophy, ethics, and law.