Arthur writes:
Make me think that the fundamentalists (of whatever religion) may be on to a
good thing. Our society is clearly foundering.
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Woah. Before the spirit in the gene (one embodiment is the seeking of answers
for earthly problems via superstition & mysticism) takes over the thinking
on this list! :-),
I suggest a look at a book I'm reading by a Canadian Philosophy Prof. (see
below)
Prisoners Dilemma, Social Contracts, Game Theory are a part of it. Responsibilities
and voluntary giving up of *some* individual freedoms for *better* outcomes
for individuals and society is what I've gotten out of the first 70 pgs.
http://www.penguin.ca/files/allview.mhtml?code=0670891495&action=regular
;)
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About the Book
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About the Author
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Available
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About
the Book
In this fascinating account of what makes Canada such
a successful society, Joseph Heath celebrates the much-maligned value of
efficiency and asks some searching questions about the forces that threaten
to undermine our quality of life. Canada is an efficient society, much more
efficient than our neighbour to the south, where personal liberty takes precedence
over collective well-being. This is one of the reasons, Heath argues, that
the United Nations Annual Human Development Report consistently ranks Canada
as the best place in the world to live. But this efficiency is under siege.
Can we resist the allure of short-sighted tax cuts? Can we maintain our quality
of life in the face of relentless pressure to increase our productivity --
both at work and at home?
Heath poses some surprising questions about the future
of our country and cautions us about where we may well be headed in the coming
century. From gridlock and guns to the privatization of education and health
care, The Efficient Society uses examples from everyday experience
to show that the dogged pursuit of individual freedoms can in fact make us
all collectively worse off.
This is a profound and important look at how government
and business conspire to improve our lives — and at the dramatic changes
that will decide our social and economic future.
About the Author
Joseph Heath is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of
Toronto. He holds a BA from McGill and a PhD in philosophy from Northwestern
University. In 1998, he was the Olmsted Visiting Scholar in ethics, politics
and economics at Yale.
Available
May 2001
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The Efficient Society: Why Canada is as Close to Utopia
as it Gets
Joseph Heath
Hardcover
See more titles by
Joseph Heath
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--
http://magma.ca/~gpco/
http://www.scientists4pr.org/
Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a
finite world is either a madman or an economist.—Kenneth Boulding
