A short post to stimulate some more thought and controversy.
A criticism that might be aimed at my version of moral realism is that it is too wide open. Almost infinite numbers of cultures could be imagined that would be acceptable as balanced systems of courage, wisdom, freedom, and love in my view. Life is much different in Japan or Germany than it is in Canada. All of these cultures have their strengths and weaknesses and all are evolving constantly. Saying that is just admitting to the facts of reality.
So how do we decide what right and wrong are in this place and time?
People on the right are going to have to get used to the idea that government regulations, inspectors, forms, taxes, etc. are just part of life in a democracy. The market is not a good model to look to as a guide for all aspects of life. What should you pay your children for being good kids? What rent do you charge your aging, broke parents to live in your large, empty, well-furnished basement? Which beggars downtown should you beat up for the $11 in their hats? If a couple of your old school friends whose lives have gone bad offer you 200% return in one weekend if you will just "front" them $10,000 to make a buy in Panama, should you take advantage of this amazing offer? The market is not a very good model for some of the most precious things we value and do.
People on the left are going to have to get used to the idea that businessmen and businesswomen are absorbed mostly in making goods and providing services that other people want and are willing to pay for. Many of them don't give much to the beggars downtown because they never see beggars. They leave an underground garage below their condos and they park in one below their office towers, all entrances and exits operated by remote control. Their energies are totally expended, most weeks and even years, on business. They conduct their business within the laws of the land and they pay their taxes. When they holiday in Bali, or buy a new Lexus, that too is their business. And if they know nothing about the arts or social justice and don't give a damn, that too is their business. People on the left have to - morally speaking - let them go.
Communism isn't a good model for much of life. It suffocates creativity and initiative in commerce.
Unionize the workers in Indonesia and other similar lands, lefties. But don't screech at the business person who moves her/his factory there. They are only trying to stay solvent in a tough market.
Get into politics, righties. Respect the democratic process, and if the law says you can't take company money and then pretend it is a private political donation, you have to respect that law, or go to jail. And you can't pollute the environment. Or endanger your workers health. Get over it.
Yes, my set of moral beliefs leaves a lot of room for debate and compromise. What did you expect?
Freedom. Courage. Love. Wisdom.
Welcome to the jungle, that is, the democratic jungle. In it, we fight with words instead of weapons, but otherwise the contest is on. A system that can remain by and large at peace and safe, but still evolve with the changing physical environment. Ain't it awful? Ain't it great?
A criticism that might be aimed at my version of moral realism is that it is too wide open. Almost infinite numbers of cultures could be imagined that would be acceptable as balanced systems of courage, wisdom, freedom, and love in my view. Life is much different in Japan or Germany than it is in Canada. All of these cultures have their strengths and weaknesses and all are evolving constantly. Saying that is just admitting to the facts of reality.
So how do we decide what right and wrong are in this place and time?
People on the right are going to have to get used to the idea that government regulations, inspectors, forms, taxes, etc. are just part of life in a democracy. The market is not a good model to look to as a guide for all aspects of life. What should you pay your children for being good kids? What rent do you charge your aging, broke parents to live in your large, empty, well-furnished basement? Which beggars downtown should you beat up for the $11 in their hats? If a couple of your old school friends whose lives have gone bad offer you 200% return in one weekend if you will just "front" them $10,000 to make a buy in Panama, should you take advantage of this amazing offer? The market is not a very good model for some of the most precious things we value and do.
People on the left are going to have to get used to the idea that businessmen and businesswomen are absorbed mostly in making goods and providing services that other people want and are willing to pay for. Many of them don't give much to the beggars downtown because they never see beggars. They leave an underground garage below their condos and they park in one below their office towers, all entrances and exits operated by remote control. Their energies are totally expended, most weeks and even years, on business. They conduct their business within the laws of the land and they pay their taxes. When they holiday in Bali, or buy a new Lexus, that too is their business. And if they know nothing about the arts or social justice and don't give a damn, that too is their business. People on the left have to - morally speaking - let them go.
Communism isn't a good model for much of life. It suffocates creativity and initiative in commerce.
Unionize the workers in Indonesia and other similar lands, lefties. But don't screech at the business person who moves her/his factory there. They are only trying to stay solvent in a tough market.
Get into politics, righties. Respect the democratic process, and if the law says you can't take company money and then pretend it is a private political donation, you have to respect that law, or go to jail. And you can't pollute the environment. Or endanger your workers health. Get over it.
Yes, my set of moral beliefs leaves a lot of room for debate and compromise. What did you expect?
Freedom. Courage. Love. Wisdom.
Welcome to the jungle, that is, the democratic jungle. In it, we fight with words instead of weapons, but otherwise the contest is on. A system that can remain by and large at peace and safe, but still evolve with the changing physical environment. Ain't it awful? Ain't it great?
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