(no subject)

[sophiaserpentia]

Ethics of Reciprocity

The Golden Rule -- possibly the only truth embraced by all religions and secular philosophies.

I know of three significant enhancements:
1. Seneca: "Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors."

2. Unconditional compassion (the moral "high road"): "[T]ake care of those who are deserving; also, and equally, take care of those who are not. When you extend your virtue in all directions without discriminating, your feet are firmly planted on the path that returns to the Tao." Hua Hu Ching 2

3. George Bernard Shaw's caveat: "Their tastes may not be the same."

If everyone (or virtually everyone) lived by it, it would exemplify a most pragmatic and expedient way to live. This would be the case even though there are people with different social and economic philosophies -- each of us would contribute as we will and as we are able, but all of us would be contributing a net positive.

The $64 question: can capitalism be redeemed? The profit motive generates wealth, but also provides a strong incentive for people to take advantage of those who are less well-positioned. I guess the answer to this depends on one's outlook.

Comments

[badsede.livejournal.com]

Capitalism can be redemmed, but only by relegating it back to merely an economic system. When we allow it to become a social system, as it has in the US, that is when we run into trouble. It's a danger that extends beyond just capitalism, communism as a social system failed even more spectacularly, though not necessarily because it was any more flawed.

Unfortunately, that means that we need a social system that can resist the temptation to allow any economic system to become our social system.