Quote by: Mr. Big  Hi,
Due to the overwhelming response and the little time I have, I will only be able to engage with the first three respondents. Sorry to the rest. Though, if you want to visit the dark side for a laugh, I'm sure you'll find plenty of debate.
I made a mistake. I should have provided a working definition for Capitalism. I apologize to those of you who have already posted. In this debate, capitalism refers to the socio-economic system that incorporates 1. free "laissez-faire" markets, 2. a government which only provides public goods (in economic speak), 3. freedom of movement for capital and labour, and 4. freedom of enterprise.
Zeebadee,
"Kim Jong Il seems to have established a "social system" that appears to go against human nature, yet it has endured."
I don't understand how this is relevant to the topic.
Thanatos,
"There are multiple aspects to human nature, you know. Its not just greed. We also carry a competing desire to do good for those around us."
Indeed.
"Pure laissez-faire Capitalism is about the death of this desire."
Do tell....
"Giving without expecting something in return and mercy for your competition do not integrate into a fully capitalist society. Your goal is your personal advancement and maximum return to shareholders."
This seems to contradict your previous statement. How can capitalism be both about the death of desire and the desire for personal advancement?
But, just looking at this quote, I am not convinced that altruism and mercy are done without thought to, or despite of, the feelings that are gained from these acts. We are all need based creatures, we act to fulfill a need. One need that many have is the need to help others. Acting in this way merely fulfills this need.
Other needs may include the need to try to satisfy greed, the need for achievement, or the need for recognition, to name a few. All these can be satisfied in various ways, but greed its self is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and is expressed through capitalism.
Ultimately other needs would and could be fulfilled in a capitalist society. Nothing is stopping a wealthy person from donating a part of his wealth. Therefore charity to others could still exist, as people feel the need to gain satisfaction through helping.
I am not sure how mercy for your competition is in conflict with a purely capitalist society. If society is a reflection of human nature, then in this type of society, if this is indeed a part of human nature, it will be expressed and mercy will be shown.
"Pure Marxist communism is about the death of greed. Everybody works for the good of the whole. Your goal is your collective advancement."
In theory, yes.
"Pure Marxism would last about 24 hours before somebody decides they want more than the man or woman next to them."
You beat me to my counter argument! In economics they call this game theory. In psychology its called the prisoner's dilemma.
"Both systems fall flat on their face in practice. Pure completely unregulated capitalism would turn to monopoly and slavery very, very fast. "
Please provide support.
"It is interesting that it seems to be possible to turn off compassion completely, yet it is not possible to turn off greed. Is this an innate feature, or is it something cultural that we might one day be able to transcend?"
This is a very interesting comment. I am not sure how to respond to it. While it is impossible to tell what another human is thinking or feeling for certain, I wager that even the most hardened businessman or criminal has compassion for a loved one, whether husband, wife, child, or parent. That being said, it certainly seems harder to turn off greed, which is partly why a capitalist society/system works best with human nature. |