The American Dream: From Paperboy to Millionaire. Offers the pursuit of wealth a real meaning of life?
For centuries, pursuing wealth was a self-evident goal aimed at preventing hunger and death. The oldest form of wealth was therefore the gathering and storing of food.
This principle still exists. Among certain indigenous peoples, the more food in stock, the richer one is and the greater one's prestige.
The big change came with the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural society. By growing food, grains, and tubers, people could produce more than they needed for their own use to get through the winter.
This meant that differences in wealth could arise. When people became aware of the advantages of storing food, this pursuit became an unconscious goal.
As a result, the more wealth in food storage, the greater the chance of survival in times of scarcity, but also the greater the chance of inequality.
This leads to a curious dynamic. The pursuit of wealth also leads to an increase in inequality. The rich get more and more resources, while the poor get further and further away.
Mankind already knew this in an early stage and it is called the Matthew effect. It is the sociological term for the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It is based on a verse in the parable of the talents in the Gospel of Matthew (25:29),
"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away."
It doesn't only apply to material wealth. In sociology, the term was first used by Robert K. Merton, who described in 1968 how famous scientists often enjoy more credibility than relatively unknown scientists, even when the quality of their work is equally high.
This means that scientific credit as measured by peer review and citation scores is more likely to be given to scientists who are already well-known.
For example, a scientific award or other recognition will almost always be given to the most senior scientist on a project team, even if the younger and lesser-known team members have done all the work.
But back to material wealth. Why would the pursuit of wealth and the resulting inequality be a problem in itself? After all, the real problem is poverty and hunger.
We have discussed this before and it comes up again here: in addition to a poverty line, wouldn't there also be good arguments for a wealth line?
In the next lecture, I'll discuss that issue and related to that I will explain to you why Elon Musk has 13 children and spends so much money on a possible colonization of Mars.
Thank you for your attention again....
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
28 - Why Am I Here 6 Sept 2024 / 1139
The Discussion
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): 14th on the way
[[13:24] herman Bergson: wow
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:25] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): he has 14 now
[13:25] Max Chatnoir: Yikes!
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not yet beertje
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and is a TERRIBLE father
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): maybe he will call the new one Y
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): poor kids
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): X is taken
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:26] herman Bergson: This Thursday you'll learn why he is so actively procreating :-)
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and i bet he raises them to become as terrible persons as himself
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh Beertje maybe he was born a leady
[13:26] herman Bergson: No speculations please Bejiita :-)
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes i thought that too
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): 14 already
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I hope that is not the case
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but still poor kids
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): maybe most of the mothers will protect them
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaah
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): or try hard to
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:27] herman Bergson: I guess they will be rich kids... Bejiita
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Then, just two weeks later, on February 28—oop!—he did it again. Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, with whom Musk shares at least three other children (again, that we know of), took to social media to announce the existence of another child, bringing the (ibid: known) total up to 14.
[13:28] herman Bergson: They all might get a Cybertyruck at ten :-)
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): guess so
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): tho strange women if they keep repeating with him
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as long they become good people im fine with it i guess
[13:30] herman Bergson: Creating so much offspring has a reason.... (cliffhanger :-)
[13:30] herman Bergson: But more important is the idea of a limit to wealth....should there be or not?
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): you can read this later
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): https://people.com/all-about-elon-musk-children-11678749
[13:31] herman Bergson: ohh...I am curious what they write :-)
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): how does one do that tho limit income
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well one or a few should not have everything wile the rest have nothing
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): never worked anywhere
[13:31] herman Bergson: In fact....use taxes
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we need equality
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ah weill
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): good idea but good luck
[13:32] herman Bergson: when the poor get poorer....work on redustribution of the [present wealth
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes that's very much needed
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but the rich ones then scream in protest
[13:32] herman Bergson: Yes Gemma...that is the huge paradox ...especially in the US where they are allergic to taxation, it seems :-)
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Elon would never accept that, or Trump
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:33] herman Bergson: No no..I know....
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but those are the worst of them
[13:33] herman Bergson: But think of this....
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): nor millions of others all over the world
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sure be rich is ok but then share some with others
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): be a GOOD rick person
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): rich
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but then we have the greed
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): some do that like Bill Gates
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes Bill gates is good
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and warren Buffett
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): he shares
[13:34] Max Chatnoir: Andrew Carnegie
[13:34] herman Bergson: When you have an income of $1600 a month and you get a $300 extra....what does that mean to youWhen you have an income of 3 million dollars a month...you get a 500.000 dollars extra...what does that mean to you?
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and manh others who agreed to donate x amount of income to foundations
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): there is a huge list actually
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in the usa
[13:35] herman Bergson: Bill Gates is only good for what HE thinks that is good for others
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): + have earned his money honestly i think ( even if i have screamed more then one time at computers before in the times of 95 ME, Vista ex yelling DAMN MICROSOOOOOOFT! as the computer crashes)
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): more to read
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=45c41d3e543101a5&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS982US982&q=list+of+donors+who+pledged+to+give+income+to+charity+with+warren+buffett+and+bill+gates&spell=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiMqdfVvZSMAxVPD1kFHecxIBAQBSgAegQICxAB&biw=795&bih=603&dpr=1.56
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and indeed those were not the most stable systems
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bill chooses which areas to support
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all over the world
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): especially African i think
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): will look at this foundation
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:38] herman Bergson: I am sure his actions will be beneficial for many...but he is an unelected politician with his donating money
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Bill Gates????
[13:38] herman Bergson: He tells us what good is for the world....
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): disagree
[13:38] herman Bergson: yes Gemaa
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): https://www.google.com/search?q=where+does+bill+and+melinda+gates+foundation+money+go&sca_esv=45c41d3e543101a5&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS982US982&biw=795&bih=603&ei=PNnZZ4_PJIqn5NoPpc7j2A4&oq=bill+gates+foumdation+mo&gs_lp=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-wHCAgoQABiABBixAxgNwgINEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYDcICChAuGIAEGLEDGA3CAhAQLhiABBixAxjRAxjHARgNwgIJEAAYFhjHAxgewgIIEAAYCBgNGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBxAuGIAEGA3CAg0QLhiABBjHARgNGK8BwgIIEAAYgAQYogTCAgUQABjvBZ
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): gDAJIHBDM1LjmgB4XVA7IHBDIzLjm4B7cX&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): thinks he can have a choice of where it goes
[13:39] herman Bergson: This is crypto money Gemma :-)
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): nono
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it is his real money
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and his x wife
[13:40] herman Bergson: It goes to a lot of characters, I see :-)
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i dont think we should expect to control where one's mone does go when they give it away
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): wow
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): goes a bit too far
[13:41] herman Bergson: True in the given political situation, Gemma
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): as long as it goes to projects that aid people
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): why do you think he is political???????
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he has never really been into politics
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): never ran for anything
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he comments yes
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but that is all
[13:42] herman Bergson: Still the question can arise....are those the good people , the right [people, that get his money
[13:42] herman Bergson: and why those people and not others?
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I believe from what i know all his projects are
[13:43] herman Bergson: I don't say he is acting wrongly....
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): if he supports any political issues it is not outof the foundation
[13:43] herman Bergson: What I mean to say is that the rich can shape the world with their money.....our world....and is that justifiable?
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok agree taxes would be the fairest of actions
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): to all
[13:44] herman Bergson: EWe call it democracy, Gemma :-)
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but will that ever happen??????
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): nope
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): communism tried
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): did it work ??
[13:44] herman Bergson: That is a self fulfilling prophecy.....:-)
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): will it work?
[13:45] herman Bergson: communism is the wrong approach....
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i know of no country that does the real fair way
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i think Sweden tries
[13:45] herman Bergson: it is a philosophy based on anger
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and Denmark
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): any others?
[13:46] herman Bergson: All countries with good educational systems, free healthcare ....
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aah
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:46] herman Bergson: good care for the elderly people
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): who are they // i dont know any except those two
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:46] Max Chatnoir: Access to good education is important.
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i agree with that all
[13:46] herman Bergson: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): would love to be in one
[13:47] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): maybe Finland too
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yay
[13:47] herman Bergson: yes Beertje
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): expecially now
[13:47] herman Bergson: My cello teacher has American children as pupils....
[13:48] herman Bergson: they are from parents that fled the US
[13:48] herman Bergson: and prefered the Netherlands
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the US citizens would balk at paying for what they consider socialism
[13:48] herman Bergson: she told me
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sorry to say
[13:48] herman Bergson: I know.....
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): there are many patriots around the world for those reasons and others i know
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): d and
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): rumor that man retirees living out of the country may lose their social security
[13:49] herman Bergson: A lot of Americans have such bizarre ideas about communism and socialism...completely McCarthy style...
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ong yes
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): still
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sadly yes
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sad
[13:50] herman Bergson: T is goint thet route too now....
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sharing some with others = communism
[13:50] herman Bergson: CNN and MSNBC are illegal according to him...
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): guuuh
[13:50] herman Bergson: These are dangerous times for the US
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep he is going after media everywere
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): slowly
[13:50] Lente (lentelies.anatine) is offline.
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): everyone telling the actual truth
[13:50] herman Bergson: READ the quote behind me :-)
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah indeed there is where we are heading
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): (shudders)
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): cancelled the Radio
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): free
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all ove the world
[13:51] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Voice of America
[13:52] Max Chatnoir: and the judiciary
[13:52] herman Bergson: So....take your time to cool down and rethink matters..:-)
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): like North Korea and Russia if not even worse
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): has been in existence since 1944
[13:52] herman Bergson: Yes, The US lost its Voice....
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): back to the "god ol" days of Hitler and Stalin!
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yikes!
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i feel like he is building a wall around the country
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed he is!
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all the wa around
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): we will self implode
[13:53] herman Bergson: He is an old man....and the older he gets the more paranoia he gets
[13:53] Max Chatnoir: I do hope not.
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yo would think it is the end of the first year
[13:53] Max Chatnoir: But we are only two months into a four-year term!
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): is only into the third month
[13:53] theo Velde is online.
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): this cant continue
[13:53] herman Bergson: Yes, it is amazing Gemma....
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i am exhausted keeping upwith him
[13:54] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): he will destroy the US to the bottom
[13:54] Max Chatnoir: Theoretically we have an active congress.
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and too stupid to keep watching
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and listening
[13:54] herman Bergson: A cynic would say...right...never a dull moment
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and its a threat not only to US but to the entire world, esp with other maniacs like Putin Nethan ect roaming around
[13:54] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): never\
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): heard he have started to blow up paletinian kids again!
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:55] Guestboook van tipjar stand: Gemma Cleanslate donated L$100. Thank you very much, it is much appreciated!
[13:55] herman Bergson: Let's take a rest..... :-)
[13:55] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:55] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): wish i could do something
[13:55] herman Bergson: Thank you all again...
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but before i get more depressed...
[13:55] herman Bergson: Class dismissed..........
[13:55] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least i WANT to do something and would if iI could
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well
[13:56] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye for now
[13:56] herman Bergson: oops....
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs Gemma
[13:56] herman Bergson: Bejiita is radicalizing....!
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i want to do something about this, but I alone cant create a happy worls
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): world
[13:57] Max Chatnoir: Thanks, you all.
