Of course, in the same way that 'capitalism can promote morality and character development', it can equally promote immorality and character degeneration. I wonder why Younkins doesn't mention that? Or perhaps he did, elsewhere?
Lawry > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Tom Walker > Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 9:14 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: thought for the day > > > "Capitalism is a system of voluntary relationships within a legal > framework > that protects individual rights against force, fraud, theft, and contract > violations. Morality is impossible unless one has the freedom to choose > between alternative actions without outside coercion. Since capitalism is > based on freedom of choice, it can promote morality and character > development-a key aspect of human flourishing. Commerce in a free economy > not only requires but rewards virtuous behavior." > > Edward W. Younkins, Morality and Character Development: The Roles of > Capitalism, Commerce and the Corporation, Journal of Markets & Morality, > Volume 4, Number 1, Spring 2001 > > http://www.acton.org/publicat/m_and_m/2001_spring/younkins.html > > Footnote: "Capitalism as defined in this paper (i.e., uncompromising > laissez-faire capitalism) involves that set of economic arrangements that > could exist in a society where the state's only function would be > to prevent > one person from using force or fraud against another person." > > > My comment: Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven. > > > Tom Walker > 604 254 0470 >
