The Problem with Moral Outrage

SAVE AS FAVORITE

VIEW FAVORITES

By HC Consultant (about the author) Page 1 of 2 page(s)

opednews.com Permalink

For OpEdNews: Matthew T. - Writer

I'm piggybacking off the intense debate from this article:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Disconnect-Between-The-by-Jeremy-Frombach-090220-925.html

I comment based on 2 points from previous commenters.

One, that the world was shared, until someone or some group tried to say, no, this is mine, and took it by force. And then the others tried to take it back. And this has been happening ever since.

Second, that "My intuition also tells me that our tribal roots favor some kind of forced sharing behavior in hard times that transcends immediate family in order to improve the odds of group survival."

I think the system of feudalism, plutocracy, social darwinism, etc...whatever you call it, will always exist.

"Forced sharing" would be a function of the threat of violent revolution against the wealthy. The "successful" people will make concessions to avoid this.

Now the comment "our tribal nature dictates some forced sharing in times of need". I disagree, or would like to point out a troubling feature that folks who favor more egalitarianism (i.e. "sharing") should respond to.

Wouldn't you consider the AIDS epidemic in Africa a dire time of need? The famine there? How about Darfur? How about all the poor kids in India and China who live with cleff palate? Aren't those times of need that...IF....we truly are tribal, we would donate time and money to?

But no, we do not. Occasionally when I walk to work (live in the city) there are Amnesty International folks standing on the corner asking for a moment of your time so that they can try to convince you to donate $18 a month for a child in a 3rd world country. You know what, MOST PEOPLE DON'T STOP. In fact, I'd say 999 out of 1000 people don't even bat an eye.

But at the same time, MANY of those same people who refuse to give money to an unfortunate 3rd world child ask for more wealth redistribution/sharing here in the U.S.? So lets consider this.

The Ideal that is hinted on by various leftist political philosophies is that happiness can be maximized in aggregate (if happiness were a measurable thing) by egalitarian production & distribution of things (whatever those things may be). Adding the second comment, this may not happen all the time, but should in times of crisis.

Ok, lets run the test. I would consider the conditions in Sri Lanka, Darfur, and other areas of the world more of a "crisis" than the current U.S. money crisis. You may lose your home, they may lose their life. For me, my life trumps my residence.

Since the conditions in other parts of the world are in more crisis, we should help them first in the interest of maximizing happiness.

But, we do not.

1 | 2