Ron --
I as you, dislike the idea of the monoply of power and wealth
due to the exploitation and bias of a system for individual profit,
unethical advancement like this is seen as evil in communism
yet defended as the individual's freedom to keep what one has
earned, ethical or not. I ask, what makes one system evil
and the other o.k.?
I don't know what your experience in the capitalistic enterprise system is,
Ron, but the profit motive is not "exploitation and bias of a system" for
monopolistic purposes. Rather, it is the spirit of entrepreneurship and the
conviction that the fruits of your labor are your own. Capitalism is the
greatest system ever devised for alleviating human misery. It has
eliminated poverty, pain and hunger, while raising our standard of living
far beyond that of feudal, socialist, fascist, and militaristic societies.
What do you think is "unethical" about keeping what one has earned? Should
productive work and applied skills not be rewarded? Or, are you of the
liberal persuasion that it is immoral to have more money than you need, and
that is incumbent on you to share your wealth with those who have achieved
less? Perhaps you believe the Marxist precept "From each according to his
ability, to each according to his needs" is more noble goal. Can you name a
communist country whose productivity or living standard compares favorably
with the U.S.?
[Ham, previously]:
We can be misguided by ideologies and doctrines that lead to
disastrous consequences (i.e., the "unpropitious" application of
rational value). That's why a fundamental belief system that resists
indoctrination to manipulative agendas imposed by power-seekers
is an important part of our reasoning.
[Ron]:
And this is the subject of MUCH debate, good point,
we must delve into this further.
I'm game. But before we do, I suggest that you read my Values Page column
this week which deals with altruism ( www.essentialism.net/balance.htm ).
You may find it an eye-opening source of information about my views on
"economic morality".
Best regards,
Ham
Moq_Discuss mailing list
Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc.
http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org
Archives:
http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/
http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
