# Freethought and Freedom: Private Property and Natural Law **URL:** **By** George H. Smith **Published:** March 21, 2018 --- George Smith continues his discussion of how the theory of private property changed over the centuries. George Smith continues his discussion of how the theory of private property changed over the centuries. [Originally published in essay form on October 2, 2015.](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/freethought-freedom-private-property-natural-law)