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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: one_less who wrote (79821)	12/29/2003 3:56:16 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

I think a derivative point of the author (quoted by AJ) was that charity is not a political or group obligation, but an individual privilege based on the autonomy to choose to act in accordance with what one values...and to oblige the valued principle or person. Capitalism does not include a moral creed of how one ought to treat others--other than through the justice of supply and demand and voluntary trade. Capitalism is based on the nature of things--not the nurture of things. It is surely the best political system, in my opinion. But it does not entail or ensure a compassionate or decent society--only a politically just one. There is more to relationship, to life, and to human interaction than mere freedom. Yet, if kindness and charity are imposed, then one must sacrifice freedom and rights. So let us start with capitalism and freedom...but let it not end there. Now, the individual may decide whether or not the poor, the sick, and the afflicted are somewhat to be valued and assisted. But people ought never to be FORCED to act in the service of others. Still...we must never be prevented from acting thusly. So may freedom and compassion co-exist. And in no other way may people of colour, race, class, connection, and variable assets co-exist in relative peace. But freedom without respect, regard, and compassion is rather meaningless--and certainly ensures a social structure which will inevitably destroy its own base. "The theist can point to specific origination. The atheist has to be more tricky about what he considers to be the source." I don't think trickiness is required, at all. A secular social conscience which values freedom of religion AND the separation of Church and State simply insures that social obligations and impositions do not come from any theistic creed. The State is separate from the Church in Western Culture; thus we avoid dogmatic injustices in favour of secular reason and love of humanity. And because there is no ULTIMATE Authority for dogma...justice can be discussed, challenged, and caused to evolve in the service of reason. "Consequently some people can do more with what they are given than others. Socialism doesn't 'fix' what aint broke" You misunderstood my question: Does compassion flow from capitalism, per se? Or is it entirely and absolutely outside of capitalistic politics? Capitalism is a NECESSARY and a wonderful basis for social rights and certain forms of human progress...it is not (in my opinion) a SUFFICIENT basis for human happiness or true progress. Please don't think I am advocating a return to religious myth and influence. But there are natural human concerns that, well...ARE human concerns: Attachment, love, sharing, alliance, loyalty, compassion, empathy, adventure, and so forth. I cannot focus on these things while guarding my back door from poor simpletons or thieves. I would rather give them a job. And that is not from capitalism, and it is not from religion. It is from my own peculiar reasoning mixed with the knowledge that most "losers" were just born in the wrong place, the wrong time, and to the wrong parents! Capitalism is just a belief in freedom. It is a beginning. It is not the end...