ABSTRACT
Man derives his sustenance from the earth, and to the earth his body returns for the sustenance of other forms of life. Rights are of two kinds: historical and rational. Indeed, the notion of right becomes socially operative when the superior and unassailable sanction of reason is asked for a state of affairs produced by history, or when translation into historical fact is asked for a proposition of reason. The main difference between ownership and usufruct, as rights, is that while the former is irresponsible and unconditioned, the latter is subject to social and economic conditions and carries moral obligations. Whenever, as in many Christian writings, obligations are attached to wealth, the right of usufruct is intimated and that of property implicitly condemned. The same rights of usufruct, but no more, are to be acknowledged for cultural authorities as for families and individuals.
