When we study the idea of morality, moral concepts, and moral behavior, we will also come across another word that is frequently misunderstood, and mis-used.

This word is "rights ".

We often speak of "human rights" or "natural rights".  But what is the meaning intended when we speak of "rights"?

As we learned when we began our study, words mean things.  A clear understanding of the meaning of certain words, especially powerful words such as "rights", is critical in this study of liberty.

The entire concept of rights relates to the acceptance of the condition of ownership, which is as we have learned, a moral concept.

A person with a "right" over a property is the owner of the property, even if he is not in direct or immediate possession of it.

The word "rights" means that a person who is an owner may do as he pleases with what he owns, without asking anyone's permission.

Each individual has a "right" (a moral justification) do do as he pleases with himself, or with anything that he owns.

When an individual is confronted with the necessity of seeking permission concerning what he does with a given property, then concievably he is not the owner of the property.  An owner does not have to ask permission.