I think people are more than that. The point being that nothing is inherently wrong with making individualistic self serving choices except when there is disregard for others. But people can also be compassionate, alturistic, giving, and cooperative, so how about a system that rewards the better parts of human nature?
The point being that nothing is inherently wrong with making individualistic self serving choices except when there is disregard for others
Historically, individualism hasn’t been a good survival strategy. I agree that self-interest isn’t inherently wrong, although I believe much of the things we consider self-serving are ultimately only sane to do once our basic needs are met, and depending on where you are and who you are, those may be at risk soon. There’s a reason why people historically formed tribes and villages to survive, individualism is only possible when you have the privilege of an advanced enough society. The capitalist market system, in fact the market system altogether, couldn’t come into existence prior to civilization, where society was strong and safe enough that individual enrichment was a viable survival strategy.
This video makes the point I’m getting at more concretely. Can start at 15:55, when they begin talking about historical materialism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPVkpWMH9k
(tagging parent commenter @[email protected] because this also addresses their reply about people’s inherent self-serving)
I think people are more than that. The point being that nothing is inherently wrong with making individualistic self serving choices except when there is disregard for others. But people can also be compassionate, alturistic, giving, and cooperative, so how about a system that rewards the better parts of human nature?
Historically, individualism hasn’t been a good survival strategy. I agree that self-interest isn’t inherently wrong, although I believe much of the things we consider self-serving are ultimately only sane to do once our basic needs are met, and depending on where you are and who you are, those may be at risk soon. There’s a reason why people historically formed tribes and villages to survive, individualism is only possible when you have the privilege of an advanced enough society. The capitalist market system, in fact the market system altogether, couldn’t come into existence prior to civilization, where society was strong and safe enough that individual enrichment was a viable survival strategy.
This video makes the point I’m getting at more concretely. Can start at 15:55, when they begin talking about historical materialism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPVkpWMH9k
(tagging parent commenter @[email protected] because this also addresses their reply about people’s inherent self-serving)