Justice

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their physical or mental labor. Do I not, then, have full claim to my
earnings?

If A discovers a cure for AIDS; it surely was not solely a product of A.
Society's framework made the discovery possible: A had to build on previous
knowledge; she had to use a laboratory she probably did not own. All of these
factors make society a partner in the discovery. Therefore, she does not have
the right to all of the benefits of her discovery; she must give up some of her
benefits to society at large.

It is true that A did not personally create every piece of equipment she used to
make the discovery; however, the point missed by in this situation is that
property is held by individuals, and A had to exchange value in the form of
money to buy or rent the equipment she used. The owners have already been paid
for the use of their equipment. Business agreements occur between individuals;
there is no entity, "society," that handed her a gift. If A were to have to pay
more to "society," then she ...

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