What Is Property? · Chapter
V explained
Proudhon begins a psychological exploration of the ideas of justice and injustice, aiming to determine the principle of government and right.
What happens
Proudhon begins a psychological exploration of the ideas of justice and injustice, aiming to determine the principle of government and right. He asserts that property is impossible and equality does not exist, yet humanity hates property while desiring it, and is ruled by equality without knowing how to attain it. He seeks to explain the antagonism between conscience and will, and the pernicious error that has made property a sacred principle of justice and society. Before explaining why man has violated justice, he insists on first determining what justice is.
Themes in this chapter
Property as Theft
Proudhon frames property as a pernicious error that has become a sacred principle, setting up his critique.
Equality and Justice
The chapter focuses on the antagonism between the desire for property and the rule of equality, and the need to define justice.
Characters to notice
- Pierre Joseph Proudhon
Author and narrator, undertaking the psychological exposition of justice and injustice.
Key passages
“Property is impossible; equality does not exist. We hate the former, and yet wish to possess it; the latter rules all our thoughts, yet we know not how to reach it.”
Proudhon declares that property cannot be justified and equality is not realized; humans despise property but still want it, while equality governs their ideals but remains unattainable.
Sets up the central psychological and moral conflict of the chapter.
“Who will explain this profound antagonism between our conscience and our will? Who will point out the causes of this pernicious error, which has become the most sacred principle of justice and society?”
Proudhon asks who can account for the deep conflict between what we know is right and what we desire, and who can identify the origins of the harmful mistake that turned property into a cornerstone of justice and society.
Frames the inquiry as a psychological and moral investigation.
“But before explaining why man has violated justice, it is necessary to determine what justice is.”
Proudhon insists that a definition of justice must precede any explanation of how humanity has transgressed it.
Establishes the methodological priority for the chapter.