: It is a fact of western society that while we consume large amounts of goods the third world nations suffer under the tyranny of starvation, pestilance, slavery and god knows what else. Why is it this happens? Gee i think (though i cannot find it) suggests an inherently selfish nature. I am not sure this is a fair representation of mankind.What I said was not a value judgement. In that post I said that the choice demonstrates that the car buyer values the car over the other opportunities he has foregone (ie the other choices) in getting it.
: Morality is i think an innate response to suffering, based perhaps upon a sympathetic empathy with others.
I think empathy may be a driver for suffering, and you have a point about 'seeing'. if you dont know about it, there can be no response. What we have observed is that televised suffering doesnt 'do the trick', it turns people away - perhaps because they sense that they are not guilty and still value the car over the other choices. Saying that, charitable contributions do run to billions. there is a bundle of choices. The person may spend a (small) proportion of his wealth on charities.
: Consider the fact that we live in a consumerist society, not a moral one. Our aims, (or at least what society tells us should be our aims) are basically to make as much money as possible in as short a period of time. Money to acquire more goods, more power, money for the sake of money even. Basically we are supposed to find such activities pleaasurable
Supposed? Poeple either do or they dont. I never buy that 'brainwashed masses' argument.
: Self interest does not promote social well being, it just promotes the self as the most important thing.
It promotes the interests of the self as the prime motivator. That, for most, includes the welfare of *people they value* such as family and friends. The opposite, selflessness, is the promotion of other peoples interests over your own. The mother who cares for her ill child while another dies is being selfish. The mother who cares for a strangers child while her own offspring dies is being selfless.
: Consequently people try to amass as much for themselves as they can with little interest in the consequences that their wealth creation has for society as a whole.
Like new medicines, communications technologies, cars, foods, safety equipment, leisure pursuits, TVs, pornfilms - you get the idea, you value some of those outcomes and not others, personal choice. The outcomes are the consequence of many peoples choices.
: The consumerist society also plasters us constantly with advertising saying buy this or buy thta or that this product is superior to another; tells us how we can have fun; tells us not to think too much;
Does it? I dont get those messages - people can and do think for themselves.
: Witness here the sad state of universities that have become in effect 'production lines' for corporations rather than institutes of learning.
Private or state universities?
None.
