What arguments have been made in favor of allowing people to inherit property?

Arguments in favor of allowing the inheritance of property are primarily rooted in economic and moral considerations:

• Economic Incentives: It is argued that the ability to pass on the fruits of one’s labor acts as a vital incentive for productivity. Without this prospect, it is believed that competition and the overall functioning of the economy would be hampered. Similarly, the power of an owner to determine the distribution of their property upon death is thought to stimulate economic activity.12
• Continuity of Enterprise: Historically, inheritance was viewed as necessary to ensure the continuity of economic enterprises, preventing the disruption of long-range economic activity.1
• Individual Freedom and Kinship: Inheritance is deeply tied to the concept of kinship. Many believe that an individual’s sense of freedom is incomplete unless they have the right to pass their possessions to their children or family members.1
• Flexibility: Allowing freedom of testation enables property owners to adapt the distribution of their assets to the specific needs of their family, such as providing more support for a disabled child compared to one with proven capacity.2