The Philosopher's Tongue

by

Ed Dedelow

I wanted to avoid philosophical involvement in economic discussions and stick with the fundamental mathematics that are embedded in logic. Ideology, however, has become the primary motivation for both parties. Recently, I discovered Michael J. Sandel's "Justice." Sandel is a Harvard Professor who is bestowed with such esteem that over 1,000 students attend his classes each semester. Wikipedia describes Sandel as a communitarian.

Wikipedia says this about Communitarianism: "Central to the communitarian philosophy is the concept of positive rights, which are rights or guarantees to certain things. These may include state subsidized education, state-subsidized housing, a safe and clean environment, universal health care, and even the right to a job with the concomitant obligation of the government or individuals to provide one. To this end, communitarians generally support social security programs, public works programs, and laws limiting such things as pollution."

Communitarians do not advocate free market capitalism.

Communitarians support state control of spending over that by the individual. In a quote, Sandel writes: "I do not think that freedom of choice ….. even freedom of choice under fair conditions …. is an adequate basis for a just society." [1] Given the numbers attending Sandel's classes and the prominence of Harvard University, he is possibly the wellspring of current liberal thought. It is notable that President Obama attended Harvard during Sandel's tenure and that Sandel's teachings are reflected in Obama's Administration

I found very little in Communitarianism or socialism philosophies to suggest that contribution (production) is a consideration for these ideologies. Rather, the focal point is distribution and the implication is, that less for all is better than more for many. Greed is described as a characteristic of capitalism rather than a characteristic of the human genome. Sandel sways the reader to believe intention is more important than outcome. For example, a greedy individual may work harder, but his hard work counts for little because his motivation is greed.

In reality, the American public relies on only a small fraction of the populace for consumable goods. Dependents include non-productive members such as children, non-working members of society who derive support from a spouse, inheritance, savings, retirement or a stipend and government[-]mandated workers. Unfortunately, dependents are often encouraged by politicians who, for votes or campaign contributions, offer government grants and assistance under the cloak of taxing the rich. The result is to add burdens to the economy, that bear few benefits and detract from productivity.

I estimate that only 1 in 5 members of the population produce goods for consumption. Obviously, producers generate far in excess of their own consumption. Their profits are gains on the surplus and much of that is put back to enhance production. As you can see, math often frustrates logic and the philosopher's judgment. In the private, sector human desires, even greed, are likely to enhance the productivity from which everyone gains. In contrast, greed in the political arena is simply a demand for a greater share of production with no contribution. Communitarianism is, thus, simply an avenue for the greedy.

When we realize that four fifths of the population relies on the other fifth, we can distinguish who is the prey and who is the plunderer.

Sandel's baffling logic is to alter human characteristics to conform individuals to a system, rather than to seek a system that conforms to the plethora of human characteristics. Communists sought to enforce a system where contribution was ignored and only existence was a consideration. For this to work, citizens need to conform to characteristics prescribed by the state. The only state where this succeeds is in the insect world where, for example, bees and ants perform particular functions throughout their lives.

The quest to create the greatest good for one's self requires the greatest service to others, whereas greed in government requires the pillage of others.

Sandel argues against the greatest good and for philosophical solutions to economics using extreme arguments such as, cannibalism and the feeding of Christians to the lions. These examples are used to promote a system of state control versus a system emphasizing individual freedoms. He is unconcerned/unaware that the burden of a politician's demands, whether righteous or not, are passed to individuals at the lowest level of production and not to rich owners. Physical work creates the product. Just as nobles passed the king's taxes onto the surfs, a business owner must pass costs onto workers.

Sandel argues for greater taxes on the rich, such as Michael Jordan, and obscures the burdens that fall on the individual worker. It is more likely that, in a system powered by the individual, the least of all citizens will fare better than the greatest in a system powered by government. The exception, of course, is for those living in the employ of government. This is the lesson to be gleaned from the fall of the USSR and the decision in China to transform into a capitalist system.

Communitarianism, like socialism, is merely a scheme to transfer consumption to those chosen or favored by the political establishment. The Socialist goal, like the communitarians', requires the plunder of a workable system. As I have said, it is a cancer that grows within a host and eventually results in the death of the host--freedom.

Ironically, Michael Sandel, a philosopher, espouses a philosophy that is dollar-based. It is noteworthy that he fails to offer any suggestion on how to conform citizens to his idealism. Rather, he merely states: a "just society ………. must find a way to cultivate in citizens a concern for the whole, a dedication to the common good."[2]. He does not suggest a method because none exists. The food for thought gained from the philosopher's tongue is a lesson in how little it takes to fool oneself.

Think about it.
Think outside the box.
Scientific Capitalist http://scientificcapitalist.com/