Where are the humanitarian values within capitalism?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert_Sock
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Robert_Sock

Guest
Or, do we need a form of socialism to achieve these values?

One argument that I hear is that with capitalism, giving to humanitarian causes is a personal thing, but what happens when nobody gives? Better to ingrain humanitarianism within societies’ system of values.

“One people, one planet, don’t take your brother for granted!”
 
Robert_Sock said:
Or, do we need a form of socialism to achieve these values?

One argument that I hear is that with capitalism, giving to humanitarian causes is a personal thing, but what happens when nobody gives? Better to ingrain humanitarianism within societies’ system of values.

“One people, one planet, don’t take your brother for granted!”
Click to expand...
Honestly, I only care about my own family. My wife and 4 kids… Just being honest.🤷
 
I lean towards the answer that at least “soft socialism” (American-plus or even slightly-European style; social safety net, NHS, etc.) is necessary in our fallen condition, for which I have been roundly criticized on these forums. However, due to that same fallen condition, the system itself can be turned in to a machine for great evil (Marxism), or can be used in a gentler and more subtle way for evil, as well (HHS mandate, etc.).
 
Lower than all of the theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity), except where it is coterminous with them (it is somewhat with charity), and higher than the others. The proper parts of humanitarianism are what are called the “corporal acts of mercy”. As the Lord said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
 
The framework of the free market system was developed in the 1700s by Adam Smith who wrote “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” According to Thomas Ward, Vice President for International Programs at the University of Connecticut, “Adam Smith’s call for the creation of a free market stemmed from his conviction that the market would stimulate development and improve living conditions, thereby reducing social strife and creating an atmosphere more conducive to peace and cooperation. In Smith’s views a balance existed between self interest and sympathy, the latter having greatest importance.” This is true because the free market allows individuals to peruse their goals without interference from the government. This is best explained by none other than Smith himself. “He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. … By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.”
 
Capitalism built the wealthiest Nation on earth at one time -America. Socialism economically destroyed just how many? Russia?
 
TEPO said:
Honestly, I only care about my own family. My wife and 4 kids… Just being honest.🤷
Click to expand...
There are about twenty thousand parents who think the same as you do, and they will see their child starve to death TODAY at Christmas. Tomorrow another twenty thousand parents will see their child starve to death.

The Bible has much to say about poverty, Scholars have taken the trouble to go through the Bible and highlight all the passages that refer to justice for the poor, oppressed, refugees, widows and orphans

Using the clear Contemporary English Version (CEV) text, it highlights more than 2,000 verses that spell out God’s attitude to poverty and justice, they have called it ‘The Poverty and Justice Bible’
hpovertyandjusticebible.org/news.php?NEWS_ID=29
 
Nimzovik said:
:hmmm::hmmm::
Capitalism built the wealthiest Nation on earth at one time
Click to expand...
Capitalism with it’s ever growing wealth and greed in resent times has promoted trickle down economics which has not worked and has only caused the need for a more compassionate and generous government to operate in a more balanced manner concerning Capitalism and Social Justice for the common good of our people.
Peace, Carlan
Click to expand...
 
Nimzovik said:
Capitalism built the wealthiest Nation on earth at one time -America. Socialism economically destroyed just how many? Russia?
Click to expand...
America has seen brighter days. Take a look around you and see the the low morale of the American people. See that America is on the verge of economic collapse. America is a great nation, and humanitarian values will make it thrive.

People do not know what they are missing now. The power of the Holy Spirit will bring people peace and security. When people lean how worthless money and material things are, they will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to set their souls right. We are all in the need of salvation to get to the Life Everlasting.
 
Carlan said:
Capitalism with it’s ever growing wealth and greed in resent times has promoted trickle down economics which has not worked and has only caused the need for a more compassionate and generous government to operate :rotfl: in a more balanced manner concerning Capitalism and Social Justice for the common good of our people.
Peace, Carlan
Click to expand...
**Nimzovik Responds: **
Italics Mine; Bolding Mine;Smiley - :rotfl:- Mine:

Ah… Did you just say Social Justice? Reaaaaaaaaallllllllly**? From Government!?!?:rolleyes: Hardly likely I should think. Unless you are talking about an Ideal Catholic Theocracy…
.
Government is Godless. Government is Secular Socialism. Translated into Abortion, Euthanasia, Contraception, the works.:bigyikes:

Then of course one* has* to talk about paying for the ‘middle man.’ And his wife and kids and his brother to dispense* my* tax dollar for me to fit their (which certainly is not my definition) definition of Government …er …uh…compassion. :rolleyes:

No. Do **not **take my tax dollar to advertise Atheistic Socialism as dispensed by Government, especially as defined by **Obama **and the Democrats of today. :dts: I can spend my own money by myself ,thankyou very much, via Catholic Charitable contibution. Giving via the Church is ever soooooo much cheaper (No Government Beauracracy) and I can be assured of execllent return on my dollar due to the spiritually driven dedication of the staff. It was **Christianity that invented Hospitals for the destitute, IMHO.
 
Robert_Sock said:
**America has seen brighter days. Take a look around you and see the the low morale of the American people. See that America is on the verge of economic collapse. **America is a great nation, and humanitarian values will make it thrive.

People do not know what they are missing now. The power of the Holy Spirit will bring people peace and security. When people lean how worthless money and material things are, they will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to set their souls right. We are all in the need of salvation to get to the Life Everlasting.
Click to expand...
**Bolding Mine: **

Yes - quite correct. The evil of Socialism is strangling America. Americans are being
“Enron-ed” as evidenced by no funds actually being present in the Social Security System. A Ponsee scheme is Social Security. **This **is Government Compassion! :rolleyes::mad: Politicians (read Government Officials) can never allow monies to be used for what it is meant to be used for. ***Not ***when there are constituents to grease to get re- elected!! :cool:

See here for a discussion of the errors of Socialism. forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=453567
 
sowinskija said:
The framework of the free market system was developed in the 1700s by Adam Smith who wrote “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” According to Thomas Ward, Vice President for International Programs at the University of Connecticut, “Adam Smith’s call for the creation of a free market stemmed from his conviction that the market would stimulate development and improve living conditions, thereby reducing social strife and creating an atmosphere more conducive to peace and cooperation. In Smith’s views a balance existed between self interest and sympathy, the latter having greatest importance.” This is true because the free market allows individuals to peruse their goals without interference from the government. This is best explained by none other than Smith himself. “He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. … By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.”
Click to expand...
It was developed from the School of Salamanca in the 1500s.
 
Hilaire Belloc’s view of government as espoused in The Servile State?
 
Byrnwiga said:
I think this article may be of interest to some people: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributism
Click to expand...
How do you distribute a giant corporation? Corporations are too efficient to ignore. The economic system must be corporatism.

God willing, the CEOs of these corporation need to be altered such that they maintain humanitarian values. The value system of society must change to accommodate humanitarian values.

Where is the religion in all this? I do not know except say that in all things God works for the good! But I’m convinced that humanitarianism must be allowed to flourish in the world. I’m not talking about a welfare state, but a world where everyone can work. Instead of money, imagine the rewards becoming spiritual, with everyone receiving their fair share.
 
Carlan said:
Capitalism with it’s ever growing wealth and greed in resent times has promoted trickle down economics which has not worked and has only caused the need for a more compassionate and generous government to operate in a more balanced manner concerning Capitalism and Social Justice for the common good of our people.
Peace, Carlan
Click to expand...
Hmmm. Compassionate and generous government… Thats an oxymoron unless you are speaking of Vatican City or Heaven.
 
Robert_Sock said:
Or, do we need a form of socialism to achieve these values?

One argument that I hear is that with capitalism, giving to humanitarian causes is a personal thing, but what happens when nobody gives? Better to ingrain humanitarianism within societies’ system of values.

“One people, one planet, don’t take your brother for granted!”
Click to expand...
Practically speaking capitalism allows people to struggle against others. There is, in daily life, hardly any value which can be established w/o competition and opposition. Insofar as capitalism promotes this life-giving and life-affirming “battle royale” it is very humanitarian.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top