Beka nods to Tara, smiling. "Ownership is defined by law. I may own whatever the law says I may own.
Under the laws of this world, I may own land. That means I can do with that land what I choose. But if I fail to use the land and another uses it, and I do nothing to interrupt their use, in time, they will be given priority over me and come to own the land. Ownership of land requires use of it. There is a legal answer to how far down I own the land, but I don't know it.
I can own the things I purchase or steal, but if someone takes them from me, they belong to the taker. Unless I can challenge their claim with force or law.
I cannot own a pet. I can possess it. I can care for it. But that possession can be stopped by someone else. It can be stopped by the pet if the pet chooses to run away.
It is possible in some worlds," and here she grimaces, bites her lip, and struggles with composure before continuing, "to own a person. Ownership of a person can occur by contract or by indebtedness or force. I cannot own a person because I don't believe in owning free beings.
I do not own my body. It is me. It is not separate from who I am. Silly to speak of owning it. It is mine to do with as I please. Because I control it.
I call nothing mine. Except my friends and loves. They are mine because I protect them and care for them. But they are not owned or possessed. I call them mine because they matter to me. Nothing more. They choose whether to accept that label 'mine' or not."
Re: Discussion topic
Under the laws of this world, I may own land. That means I can do with that land what I choose. But if I fail to use the land and another uses it, and I do nothing to interrupt their use, in time, they will be given priority over me and come to own the land. Ownership of land requires use of it. There is a legal answer to how far down I own the land, but I don't know it.
I can own the things I purchase or steal, but if someone takes them from me, they belong to the taker. Unless I can challenge their claim with force or law.
I cannot own a pet. I can possess it. I can care for it. But that possession can be stopped by someone else. It can be stopped by the pet if the pet chooses to run away.
It is possible in some worlds," and here she grimaces, bites her lip, and struggles with composure before continuing, "to own a person. Ownership of a person can occur by contract or by indebtedness or force. I cannot own a person because I don't believe in owning free beings.
I do not own my body. It is me. It is not separate from who I am. Silly to speak of owning it. It is mine to do with as I please. Because I control it.
I call nothing mine. Except my friends and loves. They are mine because I protect them and care for them. But they are not owned or possessed. I call them mine because they matter to me. Nothing more. They choose whether to accept that label 'mine' or not."