Nick_A wrote: ↑June 7th, 2021, 9:27 pmYour perspective offers a deep dive into the historical and moral evolution of society. I appreciate your citation of John Adams, which underscores the foundational belief that governance, morality, and religiosity were interwoven in the founding ideals of many modern nations.ReaderAisha2020 wrote: ↑June 7th, 2021, 4:35 pm The problem is that when money becomes the main goal it seems that people forget about morality, human rights and life. Do rights and justice go together with capitalism? I think they are opposites opposedFirst it was agreed that God is dead and now it is agreed that philosophy as the love of wisdom is dead. Money is all that is left to supply the need for "meaning." The manipulation of health care is a great source of money and far more important than who lives or dies.
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion . . . Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John AdamsRights and justice only become opposed when both God as the source of meaning and philosophy as the love of wisdom for society as a whole have died. Idolatry replaces God and indoctrination replaces wisdom. The problem isn't capitalism but human nature without the religious and philosophical influences. The result must be a form of statist slavery proving Man as a whole has become incapable of freedom so invites psychological and political slavery.
You've touched upon a profound idea, suggesting that when societies move away from moral and philosophical anchors, there can be a drift into materialism or a form of idolatry centered around money. Indeed, the moral fabric of a society can become strained when its primary orientation is profit.
However, it's also essential to recognize that capitalism, as an economic system, is neutral. It's how it's practiced and regulated that determines its moral and ethical outcomes. Just as a knife can be used to prepare food or harm someone, capitalism can be used to uplift society or exploit it. It becomes crucial, then, to have checks and balances that ensure ethical practices, especially in sectors as sensitive as healthcare.
To circle back to the topic of reproductive rights in the context of for-profit healthcare: the potential for exploitation does exist, as with any profit-driven endeavor. Yet, with proper oversight, ethical guidelines, and an educated and engaged populace, it's possible to have a capitalist system that respects and upholds these rights.
The key challenge is to ensure that the profit motive doesn't overshadow the fundamental human right to healthcare, reproductive or otherwise. How can society implement and maintain these checks and balances effectively? Can we reinvigorate philosophical and moral discussions at the heart of our societal systems to ensure justice and rights are always at the forefront?
– William James