She hesitates. There are two exits to the moral foundation of Political philosophy. One leads to a Kantian ethics of Duty, while the other leads to the utilitarian approach of ethics.
It feels so obvious that we have stopped at this station and that Miss EL is our only companion, but is it so obvious? After all utopias we have visited, is miss EL and what she carries in her bag, the free market, not a utopia too?
In fact the financial crisis we are in now, has proven that the financial world believed in a utopia of unlimited free markets and capitalism.
And the most well read utopia novel next to the bible, that teaches us this utopia, is "Atlas Shrugged" (1957) by Ayn Rand. This was revealed by a research of Time magazine among its readers.
And that this utopia was put to practice is due to one of the closest disciples of Ayn Rand, Alan Greenspan, till 2006 the president of the American Federal Reserve Bank.
The financial politics of this bank affect everyone in this world. This has made the financial crisis pretty clear.
Greenspan was rather upset by the crisis, when he said to the committee of the American congress "Most of us, and me in particular, are shocked and still can not believe it"
And as he continued, there has to be"an error in the conviction that the free market can regulate itself much better than any governmental supervision could do"
When Greenspan described the rise of free market capitalism in the 60s of the past century, he referred to two persons in one breath: Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman.
He was a loyal disciple of Rand and the utopia of "Atlas Shrugged" and he was in the position to put it into practice worldwide. heads of state like Thatcher and Reagan followed him by the book:
privatization of government services (post, energy, transportation, health care etc.), progressive deregulation of the economy and minimizing influences of the trade unions.
This opened the gates to that for which Aristotle already warned us: GREED. The highest goal in his opinion is not the accumulation of as many wealth as possible, but to live a virtuous and good life.
Aristotle was the first one to discover the concept of economy (oikonomia): the management of the household. For that you need goods, of course.
But the acquisition of goods by purchase or exchange is something different, called chremastike (the earning of money). As he says in his Ethica:
"The way of life of chremastike is only forced to choose; wealth is obviously not the good we are looking for. It is a commodity, a means to an end"
The elementary economics was based on exchanging good, a pair of shoes for a bag of corn. With the invention of money the acquiring of the corn could be postponed till later.
As Aristotle says in his Politica: "Due to chremastike people believe that that there is no limit to wealth." He already understood human nature, developed from real hunter to hunter for moor e..and more..and more only.
The next step was the behavior Aristotle really condemned: making money with money. There is no intermediate good anymore, just money to acquire money.
We live in a world, which was predicted by a philosopher more than 2000 years ago. If we loose sight of the true meaning of life and only believe in greed, it will lead to disaster.
Therefore I suggest that we ask Miss EL to get on the train again. This cannot be the end station.
The Discussion
[13:23] herman Bergson: This concludes the series on the Ideal State ^_^
[13:23] Gemma Cleanslate: and we still dont have one lol
[13:23] Qwark Allen: indeedº
[13:23] Designing Worlds Messages: Changes at Linden Lab! Join us for an iimportant TV discussion today at 2pm - see the notecard for details and landmark.
[13:23] Qwark Allen: seems utopian
[13:23] herman Bergson: No Gemma, but we are working on it.....
[13:23] Gemma Cleanslate: even Greenspan now admits he made grave errors
[13:23] Kiki Walpanheim: APPLAUSE for the last lecture this semester
[13:23] Gemma Cleanslate: errors of judgement
[13:23] herman Bergson: Thank you Kiki
[13:24] herman Bergson: I think we deserve a vacation
[13:24] Bruce Mowbray: [`·.] APPLAUSE!! [.·´]
[13:24] Kiki Walpanheim: will miss you all
[13:24] Abraxas Nagy: we sure will
[13:24] Gemma Cleanslate: come to our parties lolo
[13:24] APPLAUSE: A Hearty round of applause bursts from the crowd
[13:24] herman Bergson: I will be back in September....
[13:24] AristotleVon Doobie: in the US, the winner of the Hamiltonian/Jeffersonian struggle by Lincoln doomed us to the policies of Mr Greenspan doomed
[13:24] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:24] Kiki Walpanheim: nods
[13:24] Abraxas Nagy: ah
[13:24] Abraxas Nagy: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:25] Kiki Walpanheim: ty
[13:25] APPLAUSE: A Hearty round of applause bursts from the crowd
[13:25] herman Bergson: I am thinking of a project called The Mysteries of the Brain...
[13:25] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:25] >>: Qwark Allen starts swaying to the music.
[13:25] Sartre Placebo: thx herman :)
[13:25] Gemma Cleanslate: hmmmm
[13:25] Qwark Allen: ¸¸.☆´ ¯¨☆.¸¸`☆** **☆´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`☆ H E R MA N ☆´ ¯¨☆.¸¸`☆** **☆´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`
[13:25] Qwark Allen: thank you
[13:25] Alarice Beaumont: i followed some of the blogs... so interesting subjects!
[13:25] herman Bergson: To dig into the great influence neurobiological reseach has on fundamental philosophical issues
[13:25] Gemma Cleanslate: it was yes
[13:25] Alarice Beaumont: i don't think there ever can be a perfect state lol
[13:26] Qwark Allen: yes
[13:26] Gemma Cleanslate: that would be interesting Herman
[13:26] Qwark Allen: seems a utopia
[13:26] herman Bergson: No Bruce
[13:26] Bruce Mowbray: Did I say something?
[13:26] herman Bergson: But the idea of Rawls was that Political philosophy can get close to the ideal theory....
[13:26] Kiki Walpanheim: I read of something interesting yesterday --let the inmates run the asylum
[13:26] Gemma Cleanslate: agreeing we dont know yet
[13:26] herman Bergson: and using that theory in our non-ideal situation would lead to improvement
[13:27] Kiki Walpanheim: which means, if ppl constantly keep infringe some law, then better make that legal and take advantage of ppl's traits in doing that to make things good for all
[13:27] Gemma Cleanslate: hi bejiita
[13:27] Bejiita Imako: hi
[13:27] Bejiita Imako: puh finally
[13:27] Kiki Walpanheim: hi bijiita
[13:27] Gemma Cleanslate: lol
[13:27] Bejiita Imako: midsummer party
[13:28] herman Bergson: yes Kiki..for instance abolish all drugs laws
[13:28] Bruce Mowbray: Like illegal downloads of movies, Kiki?
[13:28] Gemma Cleanslate: and then regulate it all
[13:28] Abraxas Nagy: hiya Bejiita :D
[13:28] Bejiita Imako: hio
[13:28] Kiki Walpanheim: or intellectual property protection in virtual world for example
[13:28] Bruce Mowbray: yes, my point.
[13:28] AristotleVon Doobie: that is a liberatarian stance Herman, we all have the right to do with ourselves as we choose
[13:29] herman Bergson: yes Aristotle...
[13:29] Kiki Walpanheim: instead of sending an army of lawers to sue everybody
[13:29] AristotleVon Doobie: drugs, suicide etc
[13:29] Kiki Walpanheim: you can work with the creators
[13:29] Kiki Walpanheim: let them use your brand, trademark, and work with them
[13:29] AristotleVon Doobie: I have yet to figure out what business that is of others
[13:30] herman Bergson: Well my friends.... I smell vacation coming up....
[13:30] Gemma Cleanslate: :-)
[13:30] Abraxas Nagy: w0oh0o!
[13:30] Kiki Walpanheim: ;-)
[13:30] Qwark Allen: ehehh
[13:30] Gemma Cleanslate: are you going to the island again??????
[13:30] Abraxas Nagy: ╔╗╔═╦╗
[13:30] Abraxas Nagy: ║╚╣║║╚╗
[13:30] Abraxas Nagy: ╚═╩═╩═╝
[13:30] Bejiita Imako: hmm nice
[13:31] Qwark Allen: have great time heerman
[13:31] Bejiita Imako: i have soom too
[13:31] herman Bergson: so may I thank you for all your participation and enthousiasm..
[13:31] Bejiita Imako: in July
[13:31] Qwark Allen: bejita m8
[13:31] Bejiita Imako: will be nice
[13:31] Classroom control: g
[13:31] Gemma Cleanslate: ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:31] Gemma Cleanslate: for the classes
[13:31] Abraxas Nagy: we thank YOU for your inspiring lectures herman
[13:31] Classroom control: g
[13:31] AristotleVon Doobie: Thank you very much Professor Bergson
[13:31] Qwark Allen: yes
[13:31] Classroom control: f
[13:31] Qwark Allen: ¸¸.☆´ ¯¨☆.¸¸`☆** **☆´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`☆ H E R MA N ☆´ ¯¨☆.¸¸`☆** **☆´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`
[13:31] Qwark Allen: thank you very much
[13:31] Kiki Walpanheim: Thank you
[13:31] Gemma Cleanslate: lol love that
[13:31] Bejiita Imako: :)
[13:31] Sartre Placebo: thanks very much herman
[13:31] Alarice Beaumont: thanks for class Herman and that you still had a seat available :-)
[13:31] AristotleVon Doobie: much applause
[13:32] Abraxas Nagy: o no particles
[13:32] Abraxas Nagy: I hate that
[13:32] Abraxas Nagy: ╔╗╔═╦╗
[13:32] Abraxas Nagy: ║╚╣║║╚╗
[13:32] Abraxas Nagy: ╚═╩═╩═╝
[13:32] Kiki Walpanheim: I hope in september my life does not get too overwhelmed so that I can still go back ;-)
[13:32] herman Bergson: I'll be back in September....
[13:32] Gemma Cleanslate: remember sunday parties at light tower for 80's hits
[13:32] Kiki Walpanheim: See you all in September hopefully
[13:32] Gemma Cleanslate: perhaps b4 then
[13:32] herman Bergson: Would be nice to see you again Kiki
[13:33] Gemma Cleanslate: yes
[13:33] Kiki Walpanheim: ;-)
[13:33] herman Bergson: Sunday parties seem to be good for me Gemma ㋡
[13:33] Gemma Cleanslate: corner party today
[13:33] Gemma Cleanslate: at 2
[13:33] Qwark Allen: yes
[13:33] Bejiita Imako: aa ok
[13:33] Qwark Allen: indeed
[13:33] Qwark Allen: the 80ies
[13:33] Qwark Allen: ,-)
[13:33] Gemma Cleanslate: not toda lol
[13:33] Bejiita Imako: aa sound nice
[13:34] herman Bergson: Thank you all
[13:34] Gemma Cleanslate: Bye, Bye ㋡
[13:34] Gemma Cleanslate: for now
appreciated!
[13:34] Gemma Cleanslate: see you soon!
[13:34] Abraxas Nagy: have a great holiday herman and I hope to see you after :D
[13:34] Bejiita Imako: aaa cu :)
[13:34] AristotleVon Doobie: bye Gemma. Qwark
[13:34] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:34] APPLAUSE: A Hearty round of applause bursts from the crowd
[13:34] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:34] Bejiita Imako: yes have a good holiday :)
[13:34] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:34] herman Bergson: Have a nice vacation yourselves!
[13:34] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:34] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:34] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:34] Bejiita Imako ♪♥♪APPLAUDS!!!♪♥♪
[13:34] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:34] Abraxas Nagy: /zpp
[13:34] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ty herman!
[13:34] Abraxas Nagy: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:35] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:35] Abraxas Nagy: [/app
[13:35] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:35] Abraxas Nagy: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:35] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:35] Gemma Cleanslate: of course you will be in sl a while anway
[13:35] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:35] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[13:35] Abraxas Nagy: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:35] >>: Qwark Allen joins the applause.
[[13:35] Abraxas Nagy: :;;:+*'`'*+*'`'*+:;._((( HONK!! ))) _..;:+*'`'*+*'`'*+:;_
[13:35] Gemma Cleanslate: not away the whole time
[13:35] Qwark Allen: hopefully not
[13:35] Qwark Allen: -,-
[13:35] Gemma Cleanslate: Bye, Bye ㋡
[13:35] Gemma Cleanslate: bye
[13:35] herman Bergson: I stay in Sl.....
[13:35] herman Bergson: plenty to do here..
[13:35] Qwark Allen: yes
[13:35] Qwark Allen: great
[13:35] Alarice Beaumont: that is good :-)
[13:36] herman Bergson: Only no lectures...
[13:36] Qwark Allen: maybe now we can have some time for a chess
[13:36] Qwark Allen: yes
[13:36] herman Bergson: It is a rythm...every tuesday and thursday...
[13:36] Qwark Allen: yes
[13:36] herman Bergson: Nice to have a break....
[13:36] Qwark Allen: indeed
[13:36] Bejiita Imako: ah
[13:36] Qwark Allen: i`ll have it in august
[13:36] Qwark Allen: ;-)
[13:36] herman Bergson: it is much to warm in RL for a thing like that now
[13:37] Qwark Allen: eheheheh
[13:37] Qwark Allen: here it`s fine
[13:37] Qwark Allen: :-)
[13:37] Qwark Allen: got to go
[13:37] Qwark Allen: see you soon
[13:37] herman Bergson: 24 degrees here C
[13:37] Bejiita Imako: ah
[13:37] Qwark Allen: 21
[13:37] Bejiita Imako: ok cu all soon :)
[13:37] Qwark Allen: but now maybe 15
[13:37] AristotleVon Doobie: bye Bejiita
[13:37] herman Bergson: Bye Bejiita
[13:38] Alarice Beaumont: ok... have a great vacation then Herman
[13:39] AristotleVon Doobie: yesm Herman..have fun :)
[13:39] herman Bergson: you too ...thnx
[13:39] bergfrau Apfelbaum: i wish you, a beautiful summer! much sun and much warm thanks herman! i look forward to septembers!
[13:39] bergfrau Apfelbaum: :-)
[13:39] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:39] bergfrau Apfelbaum: for philclass
[13:41] herman Bergson: thnx Bergie
[13:41] bergfrau Apfelbaum: must go off :-/
[13:41] bergfrau Apfelbaum: byebye all:-)
[13:42] Alarice Beaumont: nite nite Bergfrau!
[13:42] AristotleVon Doobie: b-bye bergfrau
[13:42] Alarice Beaumont: hoffe ich sehe dich bald mal wieder!!
[13:43] herman Bergson: make yourselves comfortable....
[13:43] herman Bergson: I got to go...Bye all
[13:43] AristotleVon Doobie: tanks Herman...bye for now
[13:44] Alarice Beaumont: bye bye Herman :-))
[13:44] Alarice Beaumont: hope to see you again :-)
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