The Morality of Capitalism

[Kfox]

Do you actually believe that any person you bamboozled into buying a product they didn't need would be genuinely happy for it?

Go back and read what I said; notice I included "the capitalist has to convince the customer his product is valuable"

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

I think it important to remember that while all systems start off promoting the values and ideals they stand for, all systems- including capitalism - evolve and, over time, become something very different to what was intended.

The ideal of capitalism was one of social mobility and prosperity for more than just the upper classes, where all who wanted should have a chance to try their industry and possibly succeed.

These were not bad ideals and historically speaking, for a while, capitalism did work.

I’ll be frank; I had thought of going deeper into this but realised that it would be long and that I do not have the energy at the moment.

In short though, my point was this: the good values in capitalism were great, but they do not seem to work now that capitalism has evolved and reached its peak.

It may be time for something different in the future.


Humbly
Hermit

 

[Father Heathen]

Back with the stupid roads are a political philosophy analogy I see.

Added in fire departments too as well. Novel.

I happen to like volunteer and local departments personally. The raffles and chicken dinner fundraisers can be a lot of fun.

But doesn't it infuriate you that somebody's tax dollars are being used to extinguish another person's house fire? Fire departments are by your standards "communist".

 

[Twilight Hue]

But doesn't it infuriate you that somebody's tax dollars are being used to extinguish another person's house fire? Fire departments are by your standards "communist".

No. That is your sole assumption and self provided examples all on your own that you made, complete with your own conclusions.

Nice strawman. Well built.

 

[Father Heathen]

Are you fine when liberals "screech" that those things are "socialism"?

Care to provide some examples? It's interesting that you've long been quick to call out hypocrisy, inconsistency, bias, double standards, etc. when it comes to liberals yet not conservatives, even though the latter holds the lion's share of guilt in that regard.

 

[muhammad_isa]

I think it important to remember that while all systems start off promoting the values and ideals they stand for, all systems- including capitalism - evolve and, over time, become something very different to what was intended.

The ideal of capitalism was one of social mobility and prosperity for more than just the upper classes, where all who wanted should have a chance to try their industry and possibly succeed.

These were not bad ideals and historically speaking, for a while, capitalism did work.

I’ll be frank; I had thought of going deeper into this but realised that it would be long and that I do not have the energy at the moment.

I think that it all depends what one means by capitalism.
The problem that I see with modern capitalism is that it is based on usury.
If usury is removed from "the equation", does that imply that one must be a communist? No, it does not.

 

[Father Heathen]

No. That is your sole assumption and self provided examples all on your own that you made, complete with your own conclusions.

Nice strawman. Well built.

Nah, it fits right in with your misusage of terminology. My straw man is right at home in your straw world.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Nah, it fits right in with your misusage of terminology. My straw man is right at home in your straw world.

Lol. No.

 

[Sand Dancer]

That one always make me roll my eyes because clearly this hasn't always been the case, even under capitalist systems. Capitalism let people put on price tag on everything, even other people. We had no "tragedy of the commons." We do have a "crisis of privatization."
Also because these are often the same people who don't respect individuals, their persuit of happiness, or rights. They'll say it's the right of the business to discriminate against minorities, but cry foul when one of their own is punished for breaking the agreed to rules of a private entity.

Much of Europe likes capitalism to keep things going, but enough socialism to be good for people over corporations. Perfect mix, IMO.

 

[Father Heathen]

Lol. No.

 

[Revoltingest]

Care to provide some examples? It's interesting that you've long been quick to call out hypocrisy, inconsistency, bias, double standards, etc. when it comes to liberals yet not conservatives, even though the latter holds the lion's share of guilt in that regard.

I've ofte criticized both conservatives & liberals for this.
But changing the focus to me, when you're the one
mis-using "socialism" & "communism" is bogus.

 

[Father Heathen]

I've ofte criticized both conservatives & liberals for this.
But changing the focus to me, when you're the one
mis-using "socialism" & "communism" is bogus.

I've explained the context. What else can I do to help?

 

[Revoltingest]

I've explained the context. What else can I do to help?

Correct the socialists when they mis-use the term.

 

[Father Heathen]

Correct the socialists when they mis-use the term.

Perhaps this subject deserves a thread of its own.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Much of Europe likes capitalism to keep things going, but enough socialism to be good for people over corporations. Perfect mix, IMO.

Not when you exchange freedoms for it.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Not when you exchange freedoms for it.

They seem fine with it. Most other first world nations would not change with us.

 

[Twilight Hue]

They seem fine with it. Most other first world nations would not change with us.

I prefer my freedoms.

Watch how sorry they will become once the honeymoon is over.

 

[Kooky]

Go back and read what I said; notice I included "the capitalist has to convince the customer his product is valuable"

That doesn't mean their product actually is valuable or useful for the customer; only that the seller has successfully convinced them that this would be the case.

(Also, it's rarely the capitalist who is doing the convincing - that's what they hire marketing and sales people for)

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I prefer my freedoms.

Watch how sorry they will become once the honeymoon is over.

Even Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson love the NHS. That's long enough between them we can say it's not a honeymoon. Sweden has had it's "cradle to grave protections" for a while now as well, it's not a honeymoon.
Too bad the American Right will never acknowledge they have been very wrong on this subject.

 

[Kooky]

Not when you exchange freedoms for it.

What freedoms have European countries exchanged for functional social security systems?