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Your attitudes are common and somewhat align with the way things work today, but I think everyone would be better off if society viewed the market as just an ef
by shasta 11y ago
Your attitudes are common and somewhat align with the way things work today, but I think everyone would be better off if society viewed the market as just an efficient medium for exchange and took more direct responsibility for the welfare of the poor rather than foisting those responsibilities on arbitrary economic transactions. The market already has a mechanism in place to determine price by balancing supply and demand. Markets have problems, like big players and lack of information, but this basic price determination mechanism is great when it works.
Also, I think it's best to pick a different example than prostitution because of the importance of cultural factors there. Instead, what if I offer $20 to a poor person to let me slap them hard in the face? That might be a good deal for them, but I'm still a jerk for doing it. The problem though isn't that the transaction is exploitative. It's that it's wasteful. Why did the poor person need to endure the slap? What was the point?
- pron 11y ago> rather than foisting those responsibilities on arbitrary economic transactions Transactions are never arbitrary. They're an action taken by individuals based on their interests, and their interests are determined by their values, and their values are often shaped -- at least to some degree -- by communal values. > but this basic price determination mechanism is great when it works How do you know when it works? Obviously, there is difference of opinion in determining what "works" means. > Instead, what if I offer $20 to a poor person to let me slap them hard in the face? That might be a good deal for them, but I'm still a jerk for doing it. The problem though isn't that the transaction is exploitative. It's that it's wasteful. OK, that's a classic.