[geoschmo]

Originally posted by dogscoff:

This is an argument I have heard many times before in favour of capitalism and I don't like it. It's cynical. You're saying that there is something inherently selfish and greedy about humankind. You acknowledge that this a bad thing, but then say "oh well, there's nothing we can do about it, so we might as well give in to it." If humanity was inherently biased toward rape and murder, would you back a system which encouraged and exploited it?

Cynical? Perhaps a little, but mostly just realistic. I won't go as far as Gordon Gecko and say "Greed is good.", but it's not always a bad thing either. It can be a powerful force for good is channeled into productive endeavors. It's what motivates us to provide for ourselves and our families. It's what pushes us to better ourselves.

You don't have to pander to your basest instincts, but you can't fight a basic component of human nature. If people don't have the opportunity to benefit from their labors, then they are going to do the mimimum amount necceseary to get by. That's just how it is D. Admitting it may be cynical, but trying to change it is naieve.

And as far as your other point, I believe man IS inherantly biased towards rape and murder. But that is more of a philisophical discussion then an economic one. We have to fight against those tendancies as individuals and as a soceity because they are counter productive. You can't channel those instincts towards individual fulfillment and the greater good the way you can with an emotion like greed. That's why we need laws and governments to begin with. To protect us form those members of the species who cannot control those aspects within themselves.

Geoschmo

[ May 16, 2003, 14:03: Message edited by: geoschmo ]