Moral Criticisms of the Market
Moral Criticisms Market This assignment requires read article Ken S. Ewert (found Reading & Study folder). Note article, Ewert defending free market "Christian Socialists." He states position a rebuttal
Moral criticisms of the market: A critique of Ewert's analysis
It is interesting to read Ken S. Ewert's 1989 criticisms of 'Christian socialists' in light of current debates on other types of economic policies today. Ewert portrays Christian, leftist defenders of socialism as impervious to logic, in contrast to other former critics of capitalism, who grew more acclimated to capitalist principles in light of the failure of the Soviet Union Similar criticisms are made of 21st century religious fundamentalists, who stress the need for private enterprise to address societal problems 'on principle,' even when public regulation might be helpful and who try to define science, including science education, in religious terms rather than in terms of logic. Ewert's essay takes the opposite point-of-view, arguing that it is moral liberals who refuse to think rationally.
Ewert attempts to make an argument for the 'moral' nature of capitalism, versus the moral nature of socialism. He states unequivocally that self-directed actions are "an inescapable part of human life," which is a premise that many Christians would disagree with: even if Christian salvation focuses on every human soul, great stress is placed upon the...
Within the capitalist framework, Ewert argues that markets are superior because they are non-coercive and mutually beneficial. However, this is ultimately an 'ends justifies the means' argument, namely that self-interest is valid because it can theoretically produce a beneficial result.
Christianity, like most major religions, focuses upon intentionality of actions. Yes, a corporation may launch a sustainability platform in the interest of marketing its product, but the intention is utilitarian and to increase sales through good PR, not to 'do good' on an individual or a collective basis. This utilitarianism underlining capitalist altruism means that when it suits the company to pollute the environment or to produce a product of questionable consumer value (such as cigarettes or high fat food), it will do so to serve its ultimate, amoral objective in the capitalist system, which is to increase profits.
Under capitalism, the firm has only one major obligation: profitability. This is how the free market does define certain priorities over other moral objectives. If the general welfare of others is improved as a result of such actions, then kindness and generosity is acceptable. If not, however, the firm still has an obligation to produce a return for shareholders. It is true that self-interest exists within socialist societies but it is creating something of a 'straw man'…
