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Why ought moral credit go to those who make the most, regardless of the opportunities that they're given? Americans and Western Europeans, on average, start fr

by kvb 13y ago

Why ought moral credit go to those who make the most, regardless of the opportunities that they're given? Americans and Western Europeans, on average, start from an advantageous position compared to those in poor regions. As a side note, it seems quite plausible to me that redistribution from the "lucky" to the "unlucky" will result in a growing pie for all, though perhaps it won't grow to the extent that the very lucky are better off than if the redistribution didn't happen. By all means be a miser if that makes you feel better, but don't cloak your actions in "morality".

maxharris 13y ago
Why ought moral credit go to those who make the most, regardless of the opportunities that they're given? Opportunities are not "given". I don't go to work thinking, "just look at all the opportunity I'm creating for other people by contributing to industrial civilization." Rawls is wrong. The idea that "you didn't earn your brain, your family, your upbringing, etc." is completely in error because the concept "earn" only applies to situations where choice is involved. In reality, "earn" distinguishes the hardworking doctor or construction worker from a 30-year old man that won't get a job and still lives with his parents. I say that if you make the most of what you've got, it doesn't matter if you started out with $5 or $5e7. What matters is that you make the most of the opportunities that are out there. What matters is how much you improve your lot. I say that the purpose of morality is to have a happy life, here on earth. It sounds like you are against "enjoy yourself and live." Edit: Here I give the answer to most of the people that are downvoting me. Clicking the down arrow to shut out other viewpoints won't help anyone get to the truth on the matter.
- deleted 13y ago
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- kvb 13y ago
  We should, of course, incentivize people to work hard, and I'm certainly not against enjoying life! I'm also not suggesting that people take vows of poverty, or try to move society towards a Harrison Bergeron-esque dystopia. Like I said, keep every last cent of your money if it means so much to you! However, success in today's world is not driven solely by "creating value" for a variety of reasons. Don't succumb to the "just world" fallacy - it's easy to moralize about how the unsuccessful must be lazy, but applying a little bit of critical thinking should make it clear that a rural shepherd in a third world country isn't necessarily poor because he "chooses" not to work hard and become a surgeon. Indeed, well-targeted charity may increase the returns to hard work.

by kvb 13y ago

maxharris 13y ago

Why ought moral credit go to those who make the most, regardless of the opportunities that they're given? Opportunities are not "given". I don't go to work thinking, "just look at all the opportunity I'm creating for other people by contributing to industrial civilization." Rawls is wrong. The idea that "you didn't earn your brain, your family, your upbringing, etc." is completely in error because the concept "earn" only applies to situations where choice is involved. In reality, "earn" distinguishes the hardworking doctor or construction worker from a 30-year old man that won't get a job and still lives with his parents. I say that if you make the most of what you've got, it doesn't matter if you started out with $5 or $5e7. What matters is that you make the most of the opportunities that are out there. What matters is how much you improve your lot. I say that the purpose of morality is to have a happy life, here on earth. It sounds like you are against "enjoy yourself and live." Edit: Here I give the answer to most of the people that are downvoting me. Clicking the down arrow to shut out other viewpoints won't help anyone get to the truth on the matter.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
kvb 13y ago
We should, of course, incentivize people to work hard, and I'm certainly not against enjoying life! I'm also not suggesting that people take vows of poverty, or try to move society towards a Harrison Bergeron-esque dystopia. Like I said, keep every last cent of your money if it means so much to you! However, success in today's world is not driven solely by "creating value" for a variety of reasons. Don't succumb to the "just world" fallacy - it's easy to moralize about how the unsuccessful must be lazy, but applying a little bit of critical thinking should make it clear that a rural shepherd in a third world country isn't necessarily poor because he "chooses" not to work hard and become a surgeon. Indeed, well-targeted charity may increase the returns to hard work.