Moral Responsibility In Singer's Wealth Of Nations
By definition, human nature is defined as “the general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits of humankind” (Apple Dictionary). Our society continues to grow and evolve over time, and human nature is maturing with it socially and economically. Adam Smith from the late 1700’s believed in a free market system ultimately governed by humans that are individuals by nature. Moving into the 1970’s, ethical economic analysis was promoted by Milton Friedman that resulted in some debate over his characteristics of company responsibility. He too expressed his belief of humans being individuals by nature in his argument. In the late 1990’s Peter Singer argued humanity’s moral obligation was to help those in poverty, alluding
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Smith introduces a partnering concept he calls “the invisible hand.” This abstraction is a side effect of out innate singularity that guides our self centered motives to ultimately benefit the community (Smith 265). Smith summarizes it nicely in the quotes, “by pursuing [man’s] own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it” (Smith 265). This gives acknowledgement to our individual sense of human nature which happens to unintentionally advance society by the process of extending benefits to the community. The interpretation of human nature as an individual can also be recognized as stemming from his description of the division of labor. Smith discusses this division as one that may benefit others in the free market system, but it is originally carried out for one’s own equity; “it is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest” (Smith 169). An individual’s own skill set is often executed because it is pleasing and or beneficial to the person. No one depends on another entirely, as well as cannot survive without help from others. The division of skill also produces an ends in which something of the multitude may profit
Smith introduces a partnering concept he calls “the invisible hand.” This abstraction is a side effect of out innate singularity that guides our self centered motives to ultimately benefit the community (Smith 265). Smith summarizes it nicely in the quotes, “by pursuing [man’s] own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it” (Smith 265). This gives acknowledgement to our individual sense of human nature which happens to unintentionally advance society by the process of extending benefits to the community. The interpretation of human nature as an individual can also be recognized as stemming from his description of the division of labor. Smith discusses this division as one that may benefit others in the free market system, but it is originally carried out for one’s own equity; “it is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest” (Smith 169). An individual’s own skill set is often executed because it is pleasing and or beneficial to the person. No one depends on another entirely, as well as cannot survive without help from others. The division of skill also produces an ends in which something of the multitude may profit