Property = Life?

There's a prevailing thought process around these days that basically states that there is nothing (property) a person owns that is worth the loss of life to prevent the theft of. And to an extent, I agree with that.

But what exactly does property represent?

At it's most basic, it represents a little slice of your life, in that you had to spend your lifes' time earning the money to trade for the possession. So in real terms, a thief who steals your watch has just stolen a part of your life.

Didn't they hang horse thieves in the old West? It wasn't just because a horse was kinda important in those times; it was because a man's horse could be his life.

Look at all of the things in your house, the things that you have bought and paid for. Those objects represent a significant portion of your life. You had to spend your time (that you will never get back) going to work to earn money to buy these things.

Why shouldn't we exercise lethal options when someone tries to steal part of our lives?

pm