First possession theory of property

The "first possession" theory of property holds that ownership of something is justified simply by someone seizing it before someone else does.[1] This contrasts with the labor theory of property where something may become property only by applying productive labor to it, i.e. by making something out of the materials of nature.

See also

• Labor theory of property
• Utilitarian theory of property
• Terra nullius

References

1. "Property". Graham Oppy. The shorter Routledge encyclopedia of philosophy. Editor Edward Craig. Routledge, 2005, p. 858