According to our current social beliefs, you can own virtually any tangible asset that is not strictly prohibited by a higher power. This sense of ownership is what gives objects and money their value, and also a measure of our self-worth. According to your self-esteem, your moral character is also affected by ownership. Also according to our government, you may own “intangible assets,” such as intellectual property and copyrights. For better or worse, ownership changes your moral character and extends to intellectual property. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The relationship between ownership and identity is ideally seen in money, particularly in the fiat currency of many countries today. You might rightly say that you own this money and your way of living will reflect the amount of money you have, but it extends much wider than that. Even if your net worth is measured by pieces of paper valued only because people believe they have value, or by a number you might read on a screen, these measurements are directly tied to your identity and personal worth. Money is what allows you to wear the clothes you like, drive the best car on the market and live in the house of your dreams. In this way, it influences your outlook on life, your personal character and lifestyle, all aspects of your personal identity. If you consider money as a tangible asset, then it is fair to say that it can develop your moral character. From a moral perspective, however, you might cite an example from history that will raise questions about property and slavery. For nearly a century after the country's birth, the United States allowed slavery in the South. The reason you could “possess” another person is that the government of the time allowed such actions. This raises another question; Where does the property come from? In a place with a functioning government, ownership is usually established by the government. You may keep something on you, in your house, etc., and the government will try to protect you if someone tries to take that item. In this definition, the meaning of "owning" something is that a higher power says that you own it, or that you have the right to do so. So if objects can develop your character and ownership comes from government, how does intellectual property fall into the spectrum? ? Sartre says you can own your knowledge and other intangible things. This is also correct, since everything you learn in school, university and training is yours to keep. As long as you can remember it, you can use your knowledge to apply for new jobs, fix your papers, etc. The exception to this rule is intellectual property, an idea or object that you create. The government of most countries has allowed “copyright,” the right to prohibit other people from copying your work. This affects, in Sartre's view, someone else who creates the same product as you, even without actually looking at what you have created, is now prohibited from selling the product they created, even if they created it "right" like you Done. Therefore, you may not own some intangible objects, those that others have thought of before you. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayIntangible or not, almost anything can be possessed in our society. From money valued only by the people who use it, to intellectual property protected only by the government that recognizes it, our current lifestyle requires ownership. As you can see.,.