Ethics

Catuli's article brought up some very interesting views about our world today. Capitalism is so much a part of our everyday lives, and it has become so easy to blindly accept this system without questioning the reasons and ideas behind it. It was refreshing to read about the opinions of somebody who dared challenge the status quo. Is capitalism really the devil? It could be, if you are one of the 'little people who work for wages'. But to the 'CEO who is making millions', it might just be the best thing in the world.

It is possible that capitalism is a bad idea-- that it shouldn't have been implemented in the first place. But, imagine a world without capitalism. Can't, could you? We would not have any of the ammenities or luxuries that we take for granted today. There would be no internet. No cell phones. Who would have the incentive to develop such things if it were not for monetary purposes? This is the kind of hidden mechanism that converted the greed of individuals into some general good-- this is Adam Smith's "invisible hand". Such technologies have benefited far more people than they have harmed.

It is possible that a capitalist society deliberately aims to degrade our character and convince us that greed is normal, even good. Take celebrities, for example. They live lavishly and have high opinions of themselves because of their wealth. Some do try to give back to communities and charities, but the amounts pale in comparison with their wealth. Are we only as good as our material possessions?

However, it is not practical to hope that everybody would see the flaw of capitalism-- that they would opt to live like Buddha or Mother Teresa. Give up their television and computers? No way.

Capitalism may bear some blame for the state of our economy today, but we must also be grateful for the good that it has brought. Without capitalism, countries would not advance nor develop. People would not have access to the goods and services that they do now. Without capitalism, we would not have the resources to help other countries in need. And when the economy does boom again, Catuli may change his mind about capitalism.

But Catuli was right when he said that the solutions to greed are simple. Because they are. Just follow everything that your religion tells you to do, word for word. Oh, and always put others first. Simple, yes. Viable, no. Society is trapped too deep in the jaws of capitalism and our lifestyles are too rooted in that system. To undo capitalism, we must first change ourselves--we must become saints.